


H - 



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l^. 










li^i^^^ 



t*' 



Class 




"liook ^r\S3 



I'RKSHXTKll liY 



Dry Goads Commission Merchants. 



COTTOtM YARD'S. 



YARNS, 




Glass TS \5 5Q 
Book A5i__ 



PRESENTED BV 



ALL yp^nwii^B. 



PLAIN AND FACCy. 



WOVEN SPECIALTIES. 



NEW YORK, 



PHILADELPHIA. 






•^f^JlJl-^ 



LvJ 



■--^ n f^: ^^T •« 



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230 and 232 Chestnut St. 



PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



Ill 



-IN- 



GOTTO]^ Y fl H N s 



Of flll Deseriptions and 



Fop flU Put^poses. 



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GORRESPONDENGE SOLIGlTED 



FROM ALL SOUTHERN MILLS. 



V<)Vfe></(tA<AfeV</Vfc\</\</(t/VtAtoU/V</U/Vto»<Ab>fe»tM<A</ 



Wilson 8c Bradbury, 



Commission Merchants. 



>H 



COTTON GOODS 



COTTON YARNS 



Consignments Solicited. 






.♦!♦ • • ••! r 

• • ••• .* r ••• •.* : ;..• 

PHILADELPHIA. 



No. 90 Franklin Street. 



NEW YORK. 



(f>(fMfMf\(fy(f>(f>(f>(f>(fy(f\(f>(f>(fMf>(fy(fMf\(fMfy(fy(fy(fv 



Buckingham, 



Paulson & Co 



Commission Merchants. 

IIP w w 'Ill' 'III IN' ''h i|i'-'iiii"- -"i|ir -Tiiii-^ 'nip-'iiii' iir "iiii •WW r ''iii"' v 



No. 83 Leonard St. 
New York. 

No. 120 Chestnut St. No. 230 Fifth Avenue, 

Philadelphia. Chicago. 



COTTON YARNS AND WARPS 



OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS. :X :X 



Consignments and Correspondence Solicited. 



CA TLIN & CO. 



Commission Merchants. 



216 Church Street, 67 Chauncy Street, 

NEW YORK. BOSTON. 

206 Chestnut Street, 

PHILADELPHIA. 



COTTON YARNS 

ALL NUMBERS, 

SINGLE, OR TWISTED, SKEINS, CHAINS, BEAMS, 
BALLS, SPOOLS, COPS, CONES OR TUBES. 

CARDED OR COMBED. 



flME^IGAfl PEEbEl^S, 

Sea Island, Peruvian and Egyptian, 



^$mB^^B^^^mm^-^m^^>^^i^^^^^^^^m 



Geo. E. Tillinghast, Treas. 



J. P. Eddy, Jr.. Sec. and Asst. Treas. 



The TilliDjiliast-^tiles Co. 



X^-^AllSStoi] Ht^^liSlQ'iS 



YARNS AND 
WARPS. 



INDUSTRIAL TRUST CO. BUILDI.vJG, 
ROOMS 418, 419, 420, 421. jr ^ 



PROVIDENCE, R. L 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^s^^^m^^^^^^^^ 



Richard A. Blythe, 



Commission 



Merchant 



^ 







Of Every Description. 



^ 



114 Chestnut Street, 



PHILADELPHIA. 



CONTENTvS. 



PAGE 

Constitution ^5 

By-Laws ^° 

Order of Business ^3 

Officers (Elected May loth, 1900) 24 

Officers (Past and Present) 25 

Honorary Members 26 

Active Members 2° 

Associate Members 3^ 

Membership 35 

Relative Growth of Membership 3^ 

rNext Annual Meeting. 37 

Proceedings 3° 

Address of President McAden 3^ 

Report of Ways and Means Committee 4^ 

Address of Theodore C. Search 46 

Address of Arthur H. Lowe 54 

Report of Secretary and Treasurer 63 

Address of Geo. Otis Draper 7f 

Address of Sidney H. Paine ^5 

Address of D. A. Tompkins i"8 

Address of Arnold B. Sanford 120 

Address of Leonard Paulson ^^27 

Address of Hon. John Barrett ^35 

Banquet ^45 

Address of Richard H Edmonds I49 

Southern Cotton Spinners' Association History I77 

Speeches at Banquet, May 11, 1899 18*' 

Address of S. Wittkowsky lS<J 

Address of T. C. Powell 200 

Remarks by Mr. Tompkins 204 

Meetings Board of Governors 1900-190 1 207 

Cotton Goods Exports 210 

Special Notice 213 

Errata 213 



INDEX TO ADVERTISERS. 



PACE 

Harding, Whitman & Co Cover 2 

P.M.Thompson " 3 

A.H.Washburn " 4 

W. M. & F. W. Sharpies ^ 

William D'Olier & Co 2 

Schell, Taylor & Longstreth 3 

Wilson & Bradbury 4 



PACK 

Buckingham, Paulson & Co '. 5 

Catlin & Co 6 

The Tillinghast-Stiles Co 7 

Richard A. Blythe 8 

Jenkins, Kreer & Co 9 

Merchants and Farmers National Bank lo 

The Dodge M'f 'g Co 214-215 

Loom Picker Co 216 

Saco & Pettee Machine Shops 217 

Garland Air Moistener Co 218 

Holland & Webb , 219 

The D. A. Tompkins Co 220 

General Electric Co 221 

American Machine Co., L't'd 232 

American Moistening Co 223 

Sanders, Orr & Co 224 

J. H. Sloan 225 

John Van Landingham 226 

Leonard & Ellis 227 

Charlotte National Bank , 228 

T. B Wood's Sons 229 

The Draper Co 230 

The Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Co 231 

Charlotte Supply Co 232 

Abegg & Rusch 233 

Oscar D . Loeb 234 

Newburger Cotton Co 235 

American Card Clothing Co 236 

Geo. B. Hiss 237 

John Corbett & Sons 238 

Heath-Reid Jobbing and Commission Co 239 

Commercial National Bank 240 

O. A. Robbins. 241 

Universal Winding Co 242 

Charlotte Bonded Warehouse 243 

The Pairpoint Corporation 244 

vSouthern Electric Co 245 

Central Hotel 24b 

Mason Machine Works 247 

Globe Machine Works 248 

King Paint M'f'g Co 249 

Plymouth Cordage Co 250 

The American Cotton Co 251 

William Firth Co 252 

Evan Arthur Leigh 253 

The A. T. Atherton Machine Co 254 

Lowell Machine Shop 255 

The Geo B. Hiss Oil Co 256 



<>< ><><><>00<>0<><X>0<K><><>0<>0<K><H>0<><><><>00<>^^ 

Established 1880. 



T. R. JENKINS. J- J- KREER. 

J. E. JENKINS. C. T. DOWNS. 



oooooo 



Jenkins, Kreer & Co,, 

207-209-211 Jackson Boulevard, 

CHICAGO. 

NEW YORK OFFICE: 55 Franklin Street. 



oooooo 



Cotton Goods. 



Commission House. 



Corpcspondcncc Solicited. 



oooooo 

R. G. Dunn & Co. 

Rmeflean Trust & Savings Bank, Cbicago. 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 



The Merchants and 
Farmers National 
Bank. 

35 East Trade Street, Charlotte, N. C. 

CAPTIAL, $200,000. 

SURPLUS AND PROFITS, $70,000, 

PROMPT AND INTP:LI,IGBNT 
ATTENTION TO AI^L BUSINESS 
INTRUSTED TO US. 



WE NEED SEVERAL MORE 
MTLL ACCOUNTS TO FURNISH 
^ US NORTHERN EXCHANGE 



^ 




::^ 



7m^ AND CAN OFFER INDUCE. 

MENTS TO GOOD MILLS. 



Correspondence Invited. 

Dr. J. H. MCADEN, H. G. SPRINGS, 

President. Vice-Prest. 

JNO. M. MILLER, Jr., 
Cashier. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY 
PUBLICATION ^ '^ ^ 



The Southern Cotton Spinners^ 



\V 



Association* 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



. 1 ) ) > 



.^ t £-,■*.-* 



1901 



CHARLOTTE, N. C. 

Observer Printing House. 

1901. 



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f\53 



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CONSXIXUXION AND BY-LAWS 



OF 



The Southern Cotton Spinners' Association. 



Adopted at 

CHARLOTTE. N. C. 

United States of A merica. 

June lotli, i8q7. 



Revised at 

CHARLOTTE, IM. C. 

United States of America. 

May iitli, iSgg. 



Amended at 

Annutil Meeting, 

May lotli, iQoo. 



Conetitiition. 



ARTICLE I. 

NAME. 

Section i. This Association shall be called THE 
SOUTHERN COTTON SPINNERS' ASSOCIATION. 

Sec. 2. May have a common seal, reading "The 
Southern Cotton Spinners' Association, Incorporated." 

ARTICLE H. 

OBJECT. 

Section i. To increase intercourse of the Southern 
Cotton Manufacturers with each other. 

Sec. 2. To assist in eliminating evils of the manu- 
facturing interests, both in relation of mills to each other, 
and the commission houses with which they deal. 

ARTICLE III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Section i. Active Membership. — "Any person who 
is a stockholder to the extent of $1000 in a Southern cot- 
ton mill, and who is actively engaged as president, agent, 
manager or superintendent, in the manufacture, printing 
or finishing of cottons, shall be eligible for active member- 
ship, but each mill shall have only one vote. 

Sec. 2. All nominations for membership shall be con- 
sidered by the Board of Governors, and reported to the 
meeting, favorably, or adversely, for the action of the Asso- 
ciation, provided, that in case the Board should decide to 



1 6 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

report adversely upon any nomination, the member who 
shall have made it shall be informed of the intention so to 
report in order that he may have opportunity to withdraw 
the name. Upon favorable report, active members may be 
admitted if they obtain a majority of votes of the members 
present, and voting therefore, by acceptance in writing and 
paying an admission fee of $5.00 and maintain their mem- 
bership dues each and every year. Any mer"ber failing 
to pay his dues within thirty days after date upon which 
they may be called, shall cease to be a member. Any mem- 
ber may withdraw from the Association upon payment of 
arreaiages, first giving notice of his intention so to do in 
writing to the Secretary, and the Board of Government may 
accept such resignation, and any member may be expelled 
for cause at any regular meeting, two-thirds of the members 
present voting therefor. 

Sec. 3. Associate Members. — Persons engaged in the 
manufacture or sale of textile machinery, or anything kin- 
dred to cotton manufactures, superintendents of, or stock- 
holders in textile plants, may become associate members of 
the Association. The methods of application, nomination, 
election and withdrawal from the Association shall be under 
the same conditions as those provided for active members, 
Article III, Sec. 2, excepting that this class of membership 
does not carry with it the privilege of voting or speaking, 
except by permission of the Board of Governors, or a vote 
of the Association to allow permission. The initiation fee 
for the associate members shall be ^5.00, and the annual 
dues shall be $5.00, payable as provided in Article III, Sec. 
I, for active members. Associate members may be expelled 
by a majority vote of the Board of Government. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 17 

Sec. 4. Honorary Members. — Honorary members may 
be elected when recommended by the Board of Government 
at any regular meeting of the Association and participate ini 
its proceedings without the right to vote. They should not 
be subject to admission fee assessments. Any person active- 
ly engaged in Cotton Manufacture shall not be eligible to 
honorary membership. 

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of all members of the 
Association to make returns to the Secretary of such statis- 
tics as may be called for by him under the direction of any- 
committee duly appointed for the collection of statistics 
when not incompatible with private interest. 

ARTICLE IV. 
OFFICERS. 

Section i. Shall consist of a President, Vice-President, 
Secretary and Treasurer, and a Board of Nine Governors, to 
be elected by the members at their regular Annual Meeting. 
After the election of the Board, there shall be determined 
by lot, three members, whose teriii of office shall be one 
year, three others for two years, and the remaining three for 
three years, and each succeeding year three members of 
the Board shall be elected in place of those retiring. 

ARTICLE V. 
Section i. This Constitution may be altered at any 
regular or call meeting of the Association by a vote of two- 
thirds of those present. 



:fi5^*Xaw9. 



ARTICLE I. 

ACTIVE HEriBERSHIP. 

Sfxtion I. Any person who is actively engaged as 
President, Treasurer, Agent or Manager in the manufacture, 
printing or finishing of cottons, shall be eligible for active 
membership, but each mill shall have only one vote. 

Sec. 2. All nominations for membership shall be con- 
sidered by the Board of Governors and reported to the 
meeting favorably or adversely for the action of the Asso- 
ciation, provided that in case the Board should decide to 
report adversely upon any nomination the member v^ho 
shall have made it shall be informed of the intention so to 
report in order that he may have opportunity to withdraw 
the name. Upon favorable report active members may be 
admitted if they obtain a majority of votes of the members 
present and voting therefore by acceptance in writing and 
paying an admission fee of $5.00 and maintain their mem- 
bership dues of $5.00 each and every year. Any member 
failing to pay his dues within thirty days after date upon 
which they may be called shall cease to be a member. Any 
member may withdraw from the Association upon payment 
of arrearges, first giving notice of his intention so to do in 
writing so the Secretary and the Board of Government may 
accept such resignation and any member may be expelled 
for cause at any regular meeting, two-thirds of the members 
present voting therefor. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 1 9 

ASSOCIATE MEHBERS. 

Sec, 3. Persons engaged in the manufacture or sale of 
Textile Machinery or anything kindred to cotton manufac- 
ture or superintendents of, or stockholders in Textile plants, 
may become associate members of the Association. The 
methods of application, nomination, election and withdrawal 
from the Association shall be under the same conditions as 
those provided for active members, Article I, Section 2, ex- 
cepting that this class of membership does not carry with it 
the privilege of voting or speaking except by permission of 
the Board of Governors, or a vote of the Association to al- 
low permission. The initiation for the associate members 
shall be $5 00 and the annual dues shall be $5.00 payable 
as provided in Article I., Section 2, for active members. 
Associate members may be expelled by a majority vote of 
the Board of Government. 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

Sec. 4. Honorary members may be elected when 
recommended by the Board of Government at any regular 
meeting of the Association and participate in its proceedings 
without the right to vote. They should not be subject to 
admission fee assessments. Any persons actively engaged 
in cotton manufacture shall not be eligible to honorary 
membership. 

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of all members of the 
Association to make returns to the Secretary of such statistics 
as may be called for by him under the direction of any 
committee duly appointed for the collection of statistics 
when not incompatible with private interest. 



20 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

ARTICLE II. 
HEETINOS. 

Section i. Annual meetings shall be held on the sec- 
ond Thursday of the month of May in each and every year 
for the purpose of electing officers and such other busines, 
as may come before the Association. 

Sec. 2. At the annual meetings officers shall make 
their reports. 

Sec. 3. The President and Board of Governors, or a 
majority of those present, may call a general meeting of 
the Association at any time, at least five days' written 
notice being given by the Secretary and Treasurer, 

Sec. 4. The President and four of the Board of Gov- 
ernors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
business. 

Sec. 5. At regular and special meetings of the Associ- 
ation, one-third of the members of the Association shall 
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 

ARTICLE III. 
ELECTIONS. 

Si CTIOn I. At the annual meetings there shall be an 
election for the selection of a President, Vice-President 
and Secretary and Treasurer, each of whom shall hold 
their office for one year or until their successors are 
elected. There shall also be an election of three members to 
serve on the Board of Governors, each of whose terms shall 
be for three years or until their successors are appointed. 

Sec. 2. Any vacancy occurring by death, resignation, 
or otherwise, shall be filled by the officers and Board of 
Governors. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 21 

ARTICLE IV. 
DUTY OF OFFICERS. 

Section i. The President shall preside at all meetings 
of the Association and Board of Governors ; he shall ap- 
point all committees, not otherwise ordered ; submit to the 
Board of Governors, for their consideration and discussion, 
all matters which, in his opinion, the interest of the 
Association may require, shall have full power to call a 
meeting of the Board of Governors at any time when in 
his opinion it may be necessary. 

Sec. 2. In the absence of the President, the Vice-Presi- 
dent shall attend to all his duties. 

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Secretary and Treas- 
urer to record the proceedings of the meetings of the Asso- 
ciation and the Board of Governors. He shall receive all 
dues and other monies due the Association from members 
or other sources. He shall provide all books necessary and 
keep a correct account of all receipts and disbursements. 
In case of death or removal from office, his books and 
papers shall be subject to the control of the Board of Gov- 
ernors. He shall pay all orders authorized by the Presi- 
dent or Board of Governors. 

Sec. 4. The Board of Governors, together with the 
President and Vice-President, shall form the Council of 
Administration. 

Sec. 5. In the absence of both the President and Vice- 
President at meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Gov- 
ernors shall be the presiding officer. 

Sec. 6. In the absence of the Secretary and Treasurer, 
the President shall appoint some qualified person to perform 
his duties. 



22 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

ARTICLE V. 
COMMITTEES. 

Section i. Finance. — To consist of three members of 
the Board of Governors, who shall have general supervision 
of the finances of the Association. 

Sec. 2. Ways and Means. — To consist of three mem- 
bers of the Board of Governors, who shall have supervision 
over all matters pertaining to the Association which may 
be referred to them. 

ARTICLE VL 
nEHBERSHIP FEES AND DUES. 

Section i. Membership fee shall be $5.00 per year, 
which amount covers all dues and financial obliofations. 

ARTICLE VII. 
AMENDHENT. 

Section i. These By-Laws may be altered or amended 
by a vote of two-thirds of the whole number of the Board 
of Governors. 



^/A 



Qv^cv of a5u9tne06. 



Prayer. 

Address of President. 

Report of Secretary and Treasurer. 

Report of Committee on Finance. 

Report of Committee on Ways and Means. 

Report of Special Committees. 

New Business. 

Election of Officers. 
Adjournment. 



^m 



©fficere. 

(Elected May loth, 1900.) 



PRESIDENT. 

DR. JNO. H. McADEN, Charlotte, N. C. 



VICE=PRESIDENT. 

J. P. VERDERY, Augusta, Ga. 



SECRETARY AND TREASURER. 

GEO. B. HISS, Charlotte, N. C. 



BOARD OF GOVERNORS. 

D. A. TOMPKINS, Chairman, Charlotte, N. C. 

A. C. MILLER, Shelby, N. C. R. K. RAY, McAdensville, N. C. 
J. C. SMITH, Newton, N. C. "W. C. HEATH, Monioe, N. C. 
R. S. REINHARDT, Lincolnton, N. C. A. P. RHYNE, Mt. Holly, N. C. 

B. E. WILLINGHAM, Macon, Ga. LEROY SPRINGS, Lancaster, S. C. 



OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATION. 

No. 41 South College Street, 

Charlotte, N. C. 

U. S. A. 



©fficcre of tbe aeeoctatton. 

(Past and Present.) 



PRESIDENTS. 

COL. J. T. ANTHONY, 1897-98. D. A. TOMPKINS. 1898-9 9 

DR. JOHN H. McADEN, 1899-1901. 



VICE=PRESIDENTS. 

A. P. RHYNE, 1897-99. J. P. VERDERY, 1899-1901. 



BOARD OF GOVERNORS. 

A. A. Shuford, 1897-98. P. M. Brown, 1897-99, 

R. J. Stough, 1897-98. A. M. Price, 1897-98. 

R. S Reinhardt, 1897-1901.* D. R. Julian, 1897-98. 

A. C. Miller, 1898-1902.* R. R. Ray, 1898-1903.* 

J. T. Anthony, 1898-1900.* J. C. Smith, 1898-1901.* 

W. C. Heath, 1899-1901.* D. A. Tompkins, 1899-1902.* 

Col. lyeroy Springs, 1899-1902.* A. P. Rhyne, 1899-1903.* 
B. E. Willingham, 1900-1903.* 



SECRETARY AND TREASURER. 

GEO. B. HISS, 1897-1901.* 



*Terni expires. 



flDembers of Hesociatton. 

January ist, 1901. 



Members of the Association are respectfully requested 
to report to the Secretary any inaccuracy in the follow- 
ing lists: 



HONORARY MEMBERS. 

Col.J.T, Anthony (ist Pres.,) Charlotte, N. C. 

ACTIVE MEMBERS. 

Abernathy, J. A., Pres. & Treas. Lincoln Cotton Mills, Lincolnton, N.C. 
Aderholt, D. W., Sec. & Treas. Vivian Cotton Mills, Cherryville, N. C. 
Ashe, John R., Sec. & Treas. York Cotton Mills, Yorkville, S. C. 
Amory, Arthur, Pres. Indian Head Mills in Alabama, Boston, Mass. 
Acree, I., Sec. Jonesboro Cotton Mill Co., Jonesboro, N. C. 
Arnold, H. C, Prest. Wahoo Manufacturing Co., Newnan, Georgia. 

Beaty, J. M., Sec. Atherton Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 

Barron, J. R., Pres. & Treas. Manchester Cotton Mills, Rock Hill, S. C. 

Brown, Geo. H., Sec. & Treas. Long Island Cotton Mills, Statesville, 
N. C. 

Bryant, S., Treas. Naomi Falls Manufacturing Co., Randleman, N. C. 

Beach, E. C, Agt. Massachusetts Mills in Georgia, Lindale, Ga. 

Blythe, T. Ashby, Prop. Ashby Cotton Mills, Marion, S. C. 

Bruce, W. R., Treas. & Mgr. Toccoa Cotton Mills, Toccoa, Ga. 

Bemis, Judson S., vSec. & Treas. Home Cotton Mills, St. Louis, Mo. 

Baker, P. S., Sec. & Treas. Crowder's Mountain Mills, King's Moun- 
tain, N. C. 

Battle, Thos. H , Treas. Rocky Mount Mills, Rocky Mount, N. C. 

Carpenter, L. A., Treas. Mai len Cotton Mills, Maiden, N. C. 
Carpenter, D. M., Sec, Treas. & Supt Providence Cotton Mills, 
Maiden, N.C. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 27 

Clark, D , Sec & Treas. Ada Manufacturing Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Crowley, John, Prop. Crowley Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 
Clemens, E N. , Sec. & Treas. Eagle & Phcenix Mills, Columbus, Ga. 
Cone, Csesar, Pres. Proximity Manufacturing Co., Greensboro, N. C. 
Cheswell, W. E., Pres. & Treas Cheswell Cotton Mills, Westminster, 

S. C. 
Chafee, John W., Pres. Sibley Manufacturing Co., Augusta, Ga. 
Cooper, D. J., Pres. Anderson Cotton Mills, Anderson, S. C. 
Clark, l/ouis W., Pres Hucomuga Mills, Greensboro, N. C. 
Cooper, D Y., Pres. Henderson Cotton Mills, Henderson, N. C. 
Chatham, H. G , Sec. & Treas. Chatham Manuf 'g Co., Elkin, N. C. 

Dootson, Jas. H., Agt. Athens Manufacturing Co., Athens, Ga. 
Dustin, W. H., Prop. Eagle Mills, Lawrenceburg, Tenn. 
Billing, Freno, Pres. Billing Cotton Mills, King's Mountain, N. C. 
Bixon, J. K., Sec. &. Treas, Trenton Cotton Mills, Gastonia, N. C. 
Bevenish, B. G., Sec. & Treas. Asheville Cotton Mills, Asheville, N.C. 
Buncan, T. C, Pres. & Treas. Union Cotton Mills, Union, S. C. 

Edwards, L,. F. , Pres. & Treas. Malison Braided Cord Co , Athens, Ga. 
Everett, W. N., Sec. Great Falls Manufact'g Co., Rockingham, N. C. 

Fries, John W., F. & H. Fries, Winston, N. C. 

Fairley, A. M , Treas. & Supt. Tarboro Cotton Mills, Tarboro, N. C. 

Fountain, W. E., Pres. Four tain Cotton Mills, Tarboro, N. C. 

Gregory, Jas. G., Sec. & Treas., Elizabeth City Cotton Mills, Eliza- 
beth City, N. C. 

Gooding, J. B., Treas. Anniston Manufacturing Co., Anniston, Ala. 

Goodwin, Geo. C, Sec. & Treas. Mooresville Cotton Mills, Moores- 
ville, N. C. 

Glynn, Martin P., R. A. Blythe, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Heath, B. B., Pres. Manetta Mills, Lando, S. C. 
Heath, W. C. , Sec. & Treas. Monroe Cotton Mills, Monroe, N. C. 
Hawke, J. W., Sec. Coosa Manufacturing Co., Piedmont Ala. 
Hickman, T. I., Pres. & Treas. Graniteville Manufg Co., Augusta, Ga. 
Hutchison, C. E., Sec. Nims Manufacturing Co., Mt. Holly, N. C. 
Howell, Geo. A., Treas. Reidsville Cotton Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 
Hardison, W. C, Sec. Wadesboro Cotton Mills, Wadesboro, N. C. 
Holt, Eugene, Gen'l Manager Aurora Cotton Mills, Burlington, N. C. 



28 TWENTIEJTH CKNTURY PUBIvICATlON, 

Hardaway, J. R., Gen. Mgr. Opelika Cotton Mills, Opelika, Ala. 
Hough, James D., Gen. Mgr. Manchester Manufg Co., Macon, Ga. 
Ho'.t, R. Iv , Sec. & Treas. Glenco & Elmira Mills, Burlington, N. C. 
Holt, E. C, Pres. Delgado Mills, Wilmington, N. C. 
Hunt, B. W., Pres. Middle Georgia Cotton Mills, Eatonton, Ga. 
Hiss, Geo. B , Pres. Rhodhiss Manufacturing Co., Granite Falls, N. C, 
(Charlotte, N. C.) 

James, A. N., Supt. W. R. Kindley Cotton Mills Co., Mt. Pleasant, N. C. 

Joiner, G. A., Sec. & Treas. Talladega Cotton Factory, Talladega, Ala. 

Jordan, W. T., Mgr. Mountain Island Cotton Mills, Mt. Holly, N. C. 

Johnston, C. W., Sec. & Treas. Highland Park Manufacturing, Co., 

Charlotte, N. C. 

Jones, P. P., Sec. & Supt , Cherry Cotton Mills, Florence, Ala. 

Jones, Arthur L., Asst Sec. & Treas. Peoples' Cotton Factory, Mont- 
gomery, Ala. 

Lineberger, A. C, Treas, & Supt., Tuckaseege Manufacturing Co., Mt. 

Holly, N. C. 
Lillard, Thos. J., Sec. & Treas. Elkin Manufacturing Co., Elkin, N.C. 
Ledbetter, T. B., Sec. Ledbetter Manufact'g Co., Rockingham, N. C. 
Lattimore, T. D., Pres Buffalo Manufacturing Co., Stubbs, N. C. 
Ivatta, C. G., Pres. Raleigh Cotton Mills, Raleigh, N. C. 
London, John R., Pres. & Treas. Victoria Cotton Mills, Rock HiU, S. C. 
Leak, Jas. P., Pres. & Treas. Leak- Wall & McRae, Rockingham, N. C. 
Love, Edgar, Treas. Daniel Manufacturing Co., Lincolnton, N. C. 

Moore, J. D., Sec. Modena Cotton Mills, Gastonia, N. C. 

McAden, J. H., Pres. McAden Mills, McAdensville, N. C. (Charlotte, 

N. C.) 
Miller, A. C, Prop. Belmont Cotton Mills, Shelby, N. C. 
McLendon, W. J., Pres. Wadesboro Cotton Mills, Wadesboro, N. C. 
Miller, R. B., Mgr. Lauraglenn Cotton Mills, Shelby, N. C. 

Miller, R. M., Jr., , Charlotte, N. C. 

Mallonee, J. N., Sec. & Treas. Red Bluff Mills, Clio, S. C. 
Monroe, Dr. J. P., Pres. Linden Manufacturing Co., Davidson, N. C. 
Mebane, B. Frank, Pres. Leaksville Cotton Mills, Spray, N. C. 
Mauney, W. A., Sec. & Treas. Long Shoals Cotton Mills, Long Shoals, 

N. C. 
Maginnis, A A., Pres. Maginnis Cotton Mills, New Orleans, La. 



TWKNTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 29. 

McColl, D D., Pres. Bennettsville Manuf'g Co , Benrettsville, S. C. 
Morrison, J. G , Prop. Mariposa Cotton Mills, INlariposa, N. C. 
McAlister, J. \V\.rib, Sec. & Treas. Worth Manufactiug Co , Wortb- 

ville, N. C. 
Mauney, J S, Mgr King's Mountain Manufacturing Co., King's 

Mountain, N. C. 
McKinnon, A. J., Pres. Maxton Cotton Mills, Maxton, N. C. 
Marrs Paul J., Sec. i!\: Treas. Henderson Cotton Mills, Henderson, Ky 
Moses, Altamont, Sec. Sumter Cotton Mills, Sumter, S. C. 
Morton, John W. , Agt. S.ar Thread Mills, Athens, Ga. 
MacRae, Donald, Tieas Wilmington Cotton Mills, Wilmington, N C. 
]\IcCrary, Pres. & Treas (T J.) Newberry Cotton Mills, Newberry, S C. 
Moore, J. S., Sec & Treas Richland Mills, Cclumbia, S. C. 
Mauney, S. A., Sec. 6c Treas. King's Mountain Manufact'g Co., King's 

Mountain, N. C. 
Moore, J. S , Sec. & Treas. Richland Cotton Mills, Columbia, S. C. 
Neave, E, B., Sec & Treas. Vance Cotton Mills, Salisbury, N. C. 
Nesbit, W. C , Sec. & Treas. Cedar Falls Mills, Cedrus, S. C. 
Newlin, S. G., Sec. & Treas. Randleman Mfg. Co., Randleman, N. C. 
Nichols, Wm. G., Springstien Mills, Chester, S. C. 
Neisler, C. E., Supt. King's Mountain Manufacturing Co., King's 

Mountain, N. C. 

Orr, Jas. L., Pres. Piedmont Mills, Greenville, S. C. 

Pegram, E. L., Sec. Stanley Creek Cotton Mills, Stanley Creek, N C. 

Phinizy, Stewart, Sec. Augusta Factory, Augusta, Ga. 

Pratt, T. W., Pres. &. Sec. West Huntsville Cotton Mills, Hunts- 

ville, Ala. 
Price, A. M., Pres. Eureka Mills, Chester, S. C. 
Pipes, D. W., Pres. Clinton Mills, Clinton, La 

Reinhardt, R. S., Sec. & Treas. Elm Grove Cotton Mills, Lincoln- 
ton, N. C. 
Ray, R. R., Sec. & Treas. McAden Mills, McAdensville, N. C 
Rhyne, A. P., Pres. Mt. Holly Cotton Mills, Mt. Holly, N. C. 
Rankin, John C, Supt. Spencer Mountain Mills, Lowell, N C. 
Rhodes, J. M., Sec. & Tres. Gaston Mfg. Co., Cherryville, N. C. 
Ragsdale, J. S., Sec Oakdale Cotton Mills, Jamestown, N. C. 
Rosenau, D. L., Sec. Tuscaloosa Mills, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 



30 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 

Rennie, T. H., Supt. Granite Mfg. Co , Graniteville, S. C. 
Ragan, Geo. W , Arlington Cotton Mills, Gastonia, N. C. 
Robertson, C. H., General Manager Waynman Cotton Mills, Wayn- 
manville, Ga 

Shuford, A. A., Sec & Treas. Granite Falls Manufacturing Co., 

Hickory, N C. 
Steele, S. W., Supt. Great Falls Mfg. Co , Rockingham, N. C. 
Springs, Leroy, Pres. Lancaster Cotton Mills, Lancaster, S. C. 
Smith, J. A., Pres American Spinning Co., Denison, Tex. 
Smith, E. A., Pres. & Treas. Chadwick Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 
Sitton, August J., Treas. J. Snow Hardware Co., Tuscaloosa, Ala. 
Stribling, S. Y,, Pres. & Treas. Roswell Mfg Co., Roswell, Ga. 
Sexton, J. L., Sec. O. A. Robbins Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Smith, J. C, Sec. & Treas. Newton Cotton Mills, Newton, N. C. 
Swift, Thos. M., Pres. Pearl Cotton Mills, Elberton, Ga. 
Steele, Robert L., Pres. & Treas. Steele's Mills, Rockingham, N. C. 
Schenck, H. F. Pres. Cleveland Cotton Mills, Lawndale, N. C. 
Schenck, John F., Manager Cleveland Cotton Mills, Lawndale, N. C. 
Sherrill, J. B., Sec. Lippard Yarn Mill, Concord, N. C. 
Swift, E. W., Pres. Muscogee Mfg. Co , Columbus, Ga. 
Stephens, S. F., General Fire Equipment Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Smith, W. A , Pres Eldorado Cotton Milk, Ansonville, N. C. 
Summerville, A. C, Manager Magnolia Webbing Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Steele, Wm. L., Sec. & Treas. Wadesboro Cotton Mills, Wades- 

boro, N C. 
Stough, P A , Sec. & Treas. Cornelius Cotton Mills, Cornelius, N. C. 
Sunderland, D. G., Treas. Pelhara Mills, Pelham, S. C. 
Strang, Jas., Agent The Metallic Ding Roll Co , Indian Orchard, Mass. 
Sanders, J. W., J. Snow Hardware Co., Tuscaloosa, Ala. 

Tompkins, D. A., Pres. Atherton Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 
Taylor, J. F., Sec. Kinston Cotton Mills, Kinston, N. C. 
Tanner, S. B., Treas. Henrietta Mills, Henrietta, N. C. 
Tuley, Philip, Pres. Louisville Cotton Mill Co , Louisville, Ky. 
Taylor, J. P. V., Pres. Hariet Cotton Mills, Anderson, S. C. 
Turner, C L., Sec. Monbo Cotton Mills, Monbo, N. C. 

Verdery, J. P., Pres. Enterprise Mfg. Co., Augusta, Ga. 

Villipique, P. V., Pres. & Treas. Camden Cotton Mills, Camden, S. C. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 3 1 

Wilson, Geo. E., Pres. Victor Cotton Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 
Williams, J. W., Sec. & Treas. Union Cotton Mills, Maiden, N. C. 
Wilson, E. L., Sec. & Treas. Dallas Cotton Mills, Dallas, N. C. 
Wilson, J. P., Sec. & Treas. Dover Yarn Mill, Pineville, N. C. (Char- 
lotte ) Pres. Louise Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 
Webb, Chas. J., Eureka Cotton Mills, of Chester, S. C. (Philadelphia.) 
Webb, Jas., Jr., Sec. & Treas. Eno Cotton Mills, Hillsboro, N. C. 
Wagner, R. D., Sec. & Treas. Yocona Mills, Water Valley, Miss. 
Willingham, B. E., Supt. Willingham Cotton Mills, Macon, Ga. 
Whittier, W. R B., Agent Whittier Cotton Mills, Chattahoochee, Ga. 
Wheat, H. L , Gaffney Mfg. Co., Gaffney, S. C. 

Williamson, Wm. H., Agent & Supt. Pilot Cotton Mills, Raleigh, N. C. 
Williamson, Jas. N., Jr., Manager Ossipee Mills, Elon College, N. C. 
Whaley, W. Smith, Pres. Olympia Cotton Mills, Columbia, S. C. 



ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 

Alexander, S. B.,Jr., S. B. Alexander, Jr., Elect. Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Buchanan, Geo A., Supt. Arcada Cotton Mills, Rock Hill, S. C. 
Brinckerhoff, M. V. B., J. H. Lane & Co , no Worth St.. New York. 
Booth, James, American Card Clothing Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Brem, Walter, Gen'l Agent Traveler's Ins. Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Bryant, C. B., Mgr. J H. Sloan, Charlotte, N. C. 
Barringer, Osmond L., Commercial Printing Co , Charlotte, N. C. 
Bradley, J. J., Supt. Ashby Cotton Mills, Marion, S. C. 
Baxter, A. J., Supt. High Shoals Mfg. Co., High Shoals, Ga. 
Battles. Jas. P., Tr. & Agt , Lewiston Machine Co., Lewiston, Me. 
Bradlee, A. T.. Manager, Yarn Dept., Harding, Whitman & Co., Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

Card, Byron F., Southern Representative, Harding, Whitman & Co., 

Charlotte, N. C. 
Cramer, Stewart W., Charlotte, N. C. 
Cochran, J. H., Charlotte, N. C. 
Cloutman, J. D., Draper Co., Atlanta, Ga. 
Cocker, Geo. B., Globe Machine Works, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Corbett, John, Jno. Corbett & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Chambers, J. L., Liddell Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Crampton, A. J., Textile Mill Supply Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Conway, J. W., Dept. Agt. Gen, Fire Exting. Co., Atlanta, Ga. 
Clark, W. C, Pres. Charlotte Supply Co., Charlotte, N. C. 



32 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

Chappell, E. American Machine Co., Pautucket, R. I. 
Corbett, Jas, E., Jno. Corbett & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa. 
D'Olier, Wm , Wm. D'Olier & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Dixon, E. B., Abegg & Rusch, New York City. 
D'Olier, Franklin, Wm. D'Olier & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Dow, P. E. W , So. Agent American Mfg. Co , Atlanta. Ga. 

Eddy, H. M., Treas. Charlotte Supply Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Findley, S G., Spattanburg, S. C. 

Fairbanks, H. W., Supt. Dallas Cotton Mills, Dallas, Texas. 

Grimes, P. M , Sec. and Supt. York Cotton Mills, Yorkville, S. C. 
Grant, T. Henry, Jr., Mercantile Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Providence, 

R. I. 
Gilligan, Jno., Supt. Asheville Cotton Mill, Asheville, N. C. 
Guion, Louis I., Supt. Bennettsville Mfg. Co , Bennettsville, S. C. 
Gist, Nathaniel, Charlotte, N. C. 

Gormley, Herbert S., So. Electric Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Glynn, Martin P., R. A. Blythe, Philadelphia. Pa. 
Goff, J., Charlotte Supply Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Garland, H. P., I.oom Picker Co., Biddeford, Me. 

Hyde. E S., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Hoffman, M P , Chas. J. Webb & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Hoffman, Beverly, Chas. J. Webb & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Jamison, Jos. B., Abegg & Rusch, New York City. 

Jones, A. W., Sales. Mgr. Henry A. vVorthington. Atlanta, Ga. 

Krieble, S. C , Leonard & Ellis, Charlott-, N. C. 

Kennett, Geo. T., Willingham Cotton Mills, Macon, Ga. 

Kenny, Jno. B , Charlotte, N. C. 

Lee, R. A., R. A Lt e & Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Leob, Oscar D , Philadelphia, Pa. 

LooTiis, Laurus, Catlin & Co., New York City. 

Leisel, Julius, Charlotte, N. C. 

Lincoln, J. T., Kilburn Lincoln Co , Fall River, Mass. 

Leeper, W. J., R. A. Blythe, Philadelphia, la. 

Long, J A.. Roxboro Cotton Mills, Roxboro, N. C. 

McAdet, Menry M., Piedmont Life Ins. Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Mayes, J. H., Whiiin Machine Co., Charlotte, N. C. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 33 

Mooring, E. W., Geo. B. Hiss Oil Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Miller, Jno. M., Jr. , Cashier Merchants & Farmers National Bank, 

Charlotte, N. C. 
Mitchell, Jas. E., J. E. Mitchell & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Murrill, H. A., Queen City Printing Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Manly, J. W., Supt. Edna Cotton Mills, Reidsville, N. C. 
Meikleham, Henry P., Aiken Mfg. Co.. Bath, S- C. 
McMillan, J. A., So. Card Clothing Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Metzel, Olin, Salesman Red "C" Oil Co., Baltimore, Md. 
Meadows, H. H., Agent Babcock & Wilcox Co., Atlanta, Ga. 
Milstead, F. D., Asst. Supt. Tallassee Falls Mach. Co., Tallassee, Ala. 

Orr, H. H., Saunders, Orr & Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Paulson, Leonard, Buckingham & Paulson, New York City. 
Parvin, Jos. H., Chas. J. Webb & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Patterson, John h., Southside Mfg. Co., Winston, N. C. 
Porter, E. W., Porter, Denning & Co., Memphis, Tenn. 
Paine, Sidney B. , Gen'l Electric Co., Boston, Mass. 
Parkinson, Arthur, Agent Arobal Mfg. Co., New York City. 
Parker, Henry C, Brown Bros. Co, Providence, R. I. 
Peirce, Chas. W., Southern Agent, Universal Winding Co., Charlotte, 
N. C. 

Rose, W. H. C, Textile Mill Supply Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Robbins, O. A., Pres. Sexton & Robbins Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Reid, E. S., Heath-Reid Jobbing &Com. Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Rhodes, D, P., Gaston Mfg. Co. Cherry ville, N. C. 

Rhodes, Peleg A., Sp'cl Inspector Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Columbia, 
S. C. 

Sharpies, Wm. M., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Sanford, Arnold B., American Cotton Yarn Exchange, Boston, Mass. 

Spellissay, W. A., Wm. D'Olier & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Sampson, Chas. E., Catlin & Co., Boston, Mass. 

Street, Jno. F., Eddy & Street, Providence, R. I. 

Seving, Henry F., Hooper, Seving & Co,, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Stephens, S. F., Charlotte, N. C. 

Steel, Phil. S., W. M. &. F. W. Sharpies, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Schell, Taylor & Longstreth, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Shafer, Daniel, A. H. Washburn, Charlotte, N. C. 



34 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

Speir, Morgan B., So. Bell Telephone Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Stratton, W. II., Factory Insurance Co., Hartford, Conn. 
Thompson, E. W., D. A. Tompkins Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Tate, R. A., Charlotte Supply Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Tillinghast, Geo. U., Tr. Tillinghast, Stiles Co., Providence, R. I. 

Van Landingham, Jno. , Cotton Factor, Charlotte, N. C. 

Wittkowsky, S., Charlotte, N. C. 

Washburn, A. H., Saco-Pettee Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Washburn, U. S , Charlotte, N. C. 

Ward, W. W., Charlotte, N. C. 

Whittam, Arthur, Charlotte, N. C. 

White, Jas. F., New York City. 

Wattles, Arthur S., L. R. Wattles & Co., Canton Junction, Mass. 

Watters, Jno. S., Standard Oil Co., Wilmington, N. C. 

Watters, Washington, Standard Oil Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Wells, G. M., Green's Fuel Economizer, Atlanta, Ga. 

Williams, Chas. A., Williams & Shelton Co., Charlotte, N. C. 

Whitworth, Chas, E.. American Card Clothing Co., Charlotte, N. 

Ware, Justin A., Crompton, Knowles Loom Co., Worcester, Mass. 

Wood, Thos. M., F. B Wood & Sons, Chambersburg, Pa. 

Winston, Geo. T., Pres. A. & M Textile School, Raleigh, N. C. 

Wilson, Henry M., A. & M. Textile School, Raleigh, N. C. 

Wood, T. Irving, Sec'y Davison Publishing Co., New York City. 



^^^ 

^ ->^»>^^^— 



MEMBERSHIP. 

NUMBER. 

HONORARY MEMBERS i 

ACTIVE MEMBERS i6i 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 114 

TOTAL 276 






RELATIVE GROWTH OF MEMBERSHIP. 



1897 



1898 



1899 



1900 



1901 



Mfj^ 



Next Annual Meeting will be held in 
Charlotte, North Carolina, Thursday, 
May 9th, 1901. 



^'P 



proceeMnge. 

The Southern Cotton Spinners' Association in Annual 
Convention May loth, 1900, at 10 o'clock A. M. in the 
Mecklenburg County Court Room, Charlotte, N. C. 

Called to order by President J. H. McAden. 

Opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. J. W. Stagg. 

A. C. Miller moved that visitors in the city who are 
directly or indirectly associated with Cotton Spinners be 
invited to take a seat on the floor of the convention. Sec- 
onded — D. A. Tompkins. Adopted. 

D. A. Tompkins — -The newspaper correspondents have 
requested that a register be prepared, and all those who 
are in attendance at this meeting be requested to register 
their names and the business they represent, as a conven- 
ience to the newspapers and that we may know who are 
here. 

President — In accordance with the above take due notice 
and register your names accordingly. 

Address by President, Dr. J. H. McAden. 

Gentlemen of the Southern Cottofi Spmners' Association: 

I congratulate you on so large an attendance upon this 
Convention. The occasion is an interesting one. The 
eye is unusually bright, the countenance gives evidence of 
a joyous heart, all is light and gay. 

A long period of depression is at an end, every industry 
is prospering, every man who can work and will work can 
find employment at good wages, money is easy, the finances 
of the country are on a sound and safe basis, confidence is 
restored, a bright future a\\'aits us, and we may confidently 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 39 

look for a period of industrial development unequaled in 
the history of this country. [Applause.] 

We have with us representatives of the manufacturing 
interests in cotton and other fabrics from all over our 
broad land, and it gives us great pleasure to give them a 
most cordial welcome at all our meetings. There will be no 
division of territory, no Mason and Dixon's line with man- 
ufacturers ; we are all together in one common interest and 
one common cause. [Great Applause.] 

We are exceedingly glad to have representatives here 
with us from that time-honored institution. The New Eng- 
land Manufacturers' Association, and especially to have 
one of its distinguished ex-Presidents to address us during 
the sitting of this Convention, on the subject of the manu- 
facturing of Cotton Goods. I have long wanted to go a 
step further than this, and see a joint meeting of this Asso- 
ciation with the New England Association, at some central 
point, where we could meet together and discuss questions 
of great interest on industrial developments. [Renewed 
Applause.] 

Gentlemen, it is good for us to come together in touch 
with each other. It broadens our views and brings us into 
more intimate business relations. 

The increased development in manufacturing in the 
South in the last few years is wonderful. More than two 
and one-half millions of spindles have been placed in the 
mills in the last year. Plants are going up all along its 
great avenues of trade, and latent energy of its magnificent 
water powers is being equipped with the latest develop- 
ment, and is transmitted by electricity to its cities, giving 
employment to our labor, thus harnessing the offerings of 
nature to the chariot of utility. The additional capital 
invested in mills will amount to more than sixty millions 
of dollars in the last year. 

We are endeavoring to convert the raw material into 
manufactured products, and to find a good market in foreign 



40 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

countries. Our export trade alone with the Empire of 
China, without any organized efforts on our part, will 
exceed twenty-five millions of dollars. 

We should favor and urge a permanent and vigorous pol- 
icy on the part of our general government in favor of the 
" Open Door Policy " with the Empire of China, and we 
should hold and govern the Philippine Islands, which are 
destined to become the distributing centre of the Eastern 
World, and make our country the centre of Eastern Civili- 
zation. [Applause.] 

I hope to see this Association take decided action on this 
great question of public policy. While the Cotton Spinners 
are only indirectly interested, as only a limited amount of 
yarns is exported, yet every pound of yarns goes into vari- 
ous fabrics, which must find a market either here or in for- 
eign countries. 

We have with us at this meeting, invited here by your 
Board of Governors, the President of the National Manu- 
facturers' Association, Mr, Theodore C. Search, who will 
address you on the very great and important point and 
explain to you the necessity of building warehouses to store 
and exhibit our products in foreign lands. [Applause.] 

The National Manufacturers' Association is diligently 
laboring in every possible way to extend our trade and has 
accomplished great good. The great hope of the South is 
in its manufactures. This is the real road that leads 
surely to industrial upbuilding, to wealth and to power. 
We ask for no class legislation. With extended commer- 
cial relation with foreign countries, new territory opened 
up before us, we can plant our products wherever our flag 
floats, and successfully compete with the world. [Great 
applause.] 

This country produces nearly three-fourths of the cotton 
in the world, a large portion of which is of the very finest 
and best grades. We have the most intelligent labor and 
operate the most improved machinery. We must exert 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 4 1 

ourselves to extend our trade with other countries. Gentle- 
men, I speak candidly to you when I say we must look to 
the future if we continue in our prog^ressive work in indus- 
trial developement. The great problem of over production 
must be met and the only rational solution is in the build- 
ing up of our foreign trade. The time will come when we 
shall need it, and we must recognize the necessity and act 
for the future. 

Your Board of Governors had introduced in a called 
meeting of this Association a series of resolutions declaring 
in favor of the " Open Door Policy " with China, building 
of the Nicaragua Canal, laying the Pacific Cable, and plac- 
ing us in direct communication with the great Orient, 
brinorinsf us in trade relations with nine hundred millions 
of people. 

These resolutions were passed unanimously. I would 
recommend that these resolutions be considered by a full 
meeting of the Association. The House of Representatives 
of your National Congress has passed the bill for the build- 
ing of the Canal by a very large majority. It now needs 
the concurrence of the Senate. The people are almost a 
unit for it ; they are ahead of their representatives. [Re- 
newed applause.] 

Now, gentlemen, I desire to make a few suggestions in 
regard to matters that are of especial importance to our 
Southern States. We should give strong expressions in 
favor of a liberal appropriation on the part of the State 
Governments for building and maintaining Textile Schools, 
which will educate our operatives in textile science as well 
as in its practice. It is due to them that we do it, and we 
should most willingly bear our proportion of the taxation 
to accomplish this great work. We should also favor a 
liberal appropriation by the State government for common 
school system and supplement this fund by a liberal appro- 
priation on the part of the mill corporation to educate the 
children of our operatives free from any cost to them. 
[Applause.] 



42 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

It will be a good investment for us, and be of lasting 
benefit to the rising generation. Its like casting bread 
upon the waters ; it will come again. There are many- 
things we could do which we ought to do for their personal 
comfort — make the tenement houses comfortable, adopt 
improved system of ventilation and sanitary regulations, 
build churches, school houses, provide libraries. They 
learn rapidly and improve their condition by contact. 

We should do all in our power to erect a high standard 
of morals, and elevate and dignify labor ; make them feel 
that each one has a personal interest in the plant and its 
success. 

The operatives are nearly all our own people. They 
come from the agricultural districts along the foot-hills of 
the Piedmont belt. Their condition is much improved by 
the change. They have better educational and church 
privileges. They are happy, contented and loyal to our 
interests. 

The crowning glory of cotton factories of the South is 
that they make the women of our rural districts wage 
earners and self-supporting, and enable them to care for 
and comfortably support their aged and infirm parents in 
the decline of life. 

In order that the ideas and intentions of this Association 
may be constantly kept before the minds of the members, I 
deem it wise that at this meeting we take some action looking 
to the establishment of weekly or monthly publication which 
shall honestly and earnestly aid in fostering the objects for 
which this Association has been organized. That the mem- 
bers of this Association may have the benefit of the most 
reliable and authentic market quotations of the raw mater- 
ial which they buy, the manufactured products which they 
sell ; a publication such as would commend itself, not only 
to every manufacturer of cotton goods, but one which 
would commend itself to the man who produces the cotton, 
the workman who manufactures the cotton, the 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 43 

stockholder who has money invested in cotton manu- 
facturing plants, the commission merchant who markets 
the manufactured product, and in fact to every one who is 
directly or indirectly interested in the cotton manufactur- 
ing business. By the means of such a medium as this our 
export trade could be greatJy enlarged, and through such 
a medium the members of our Association could aid and 
assist in having adopted such national laws as would 
improve our facilities for securing an increased export busi- 
ness. I have only time here to enumerate a few of the 
many ways in which such a publication would be of advan- 
tage to our great and growing industry. Every one inter- 
ested will thus be in possession of the most reliable inform- 
ation obtainable regarding the cotton trade, and by the 
establishment of this publication the members of this 
Association may be themselves posted, in order that they 
may be thoroughly competent to educate and to do what 
is best for those who are employed by them. 

I desire, therefore, to lay stress upon the fact that I view 
this matter most favorably, and sincerely hope that it will 
be put in proper form, so that it can come before this Asso- 
ciation, and the proper steps taken looking to the establish- 
ment and publishing of a magazine or periodical such as 
would meet the requirements of this Association, and in 
connection with this publication, I further desire to suggest 
that arrangements be made whereby the policy to be pur- 
sued in connection with this publication be very closely 
under the control and guidance of the officers and the 
Board of Governors of our Association. 

Your Board of Governors have very wisely adopted the 
course of inviting distinguished men from all over this 
country to make addresses before this convention of manu- 
facturers on important subjects directly connected with 
cotton mill industry. 

The program embraces such distinguished men as Syd- 
ney Paine, of New England, on "Electric Power Trans- 



44 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

mission ; " Geo. Otis Draper, of Massachusetts, on " Im- 
provements in Cotton Mill Machinery ; " Arnold B. San- 
ford, of Boston, on " Manufacture of Fine Cotton in the 
South ; " our own Mr. Tompkins, of Charlotte, on " Steam 
Power ; its Economy ; " the distinguished Arthur Lowe, of 
Massachusetts, former President of the New England Man- 
ufacturers' Association, on " The Production of Finer Cot- 
ton Goods by American Manufacturers ; " Leonard Paulson, 
of New York, on " Sale of Cotton Yarns ; " the " Develop- 
ment of American Shipping," by that great friend of the 
South, and who has done more for the Southern develop- 
ment than any man in this Union, Mr. R. H. Edmonds, 
editor of the Manufacturers' Record, of Baltimore. 
[Applause.] 

We will also have an address by the Hon. John Barrett, 
former minister to Siam, whose long residence in that 
country and his great familiarity with the Orient and its 
trade will be of great interest to us. [Applause.] 

This is a most happy selection of distinguished speakers. 

The experience with cotton manufacturers for a long 
number of years has convinced us that it is like the ebbing 
and flowing of the tide. We have our period of depression 
and our times of active business. We have gone through 
with the depression for a number of years ; we are now on 
the high tide. [Applause.] 

The wave of prosperity is exhibiting itself in every branch 
of business. We need have no fear for the future ; diversify 
your products, make good yarns and cloth, stand to your 
contracts and require the same good faith on the part of 
those who purchase your products, out of your earnings 
pay fair dividends to stockholders, expend whatever is nec- 
essary to put your plant in first-class condition, put the 
balance to surplus, as you may need it to keep your labor 
employed in dull times, and to tide over periods of depres- 
sion. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 45 

Keep in touch with your commission merchant by going 
into the market where your product is sold. Your factor 
will always be glad to welcome you and give you all the 
information in his power. The expense of your trip is noth- 
ing compared to the benefit you will receive. 

Now, gentlemen, my term as your presiding officer will 
expire this day. It has been a great pleasure to me to be 
a member of this Association, and a distinguished honor to 
preside over its deliberations. By your kindness and 
courtesy you have aided me very much, for which I am 
profoundly grateful. 

I am of you and with you, and my parting message to you 
is to set your face to the morning and keep step with the 
progress and development of the age. All will be well 
with you. 

Ex-President of the New England Manufacturers' Asso- 
ciation, Mr. A. H. Lowe invited to take a seat on the rost- 
rum with President J. H. McAden. 

President McAden— All applications for membership 
will be submitted to the Secretary. All parties who make 
application for active membership now, will be allowed 
privilege of discussion on the floor. 

Secretary Hiss— Application blanks are now on the 
Secretary's table and all who wish to join the Association 
may have these blanks— fill them out and accompany same 
with $5.00, and then the application will be acted upon by 
a committee ; a suspension of rules can take place, and any 
gentleman in the room that desires to become a member 
can do so in this way. Fill blanks out and accompany 
with $5.00 and this will cover all dues to xApril ist, iqoi, 
which is the end of our fiscal year. Those who desire 
membership as active members will then have all privileges 



46 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

of discussion as active members on this floor. Associate 
members are not allowed this privilege unless so ordered 
by the Board of Governors. 

Geo. E. Wilson — Would it not be a good idea for the 
Secretary to read the revision as suggested in reference to 
membership in the Association. 

Secretary ordered to read the revision. 

Secretary reads: 

"report of committee on ways and means." 
It is suggested that Article 3, Sec, i, be changed so as to 
read, "Any person who is a stockholder to the extent of 
$1,000 in a Southern Cotton Mill, and who is actively 
engaged as President, Treasurer, Agent, Manager or Super- 
intendent, in the manufacture, printing or finishing of cot- 
tons, shall be eligible for active membership, but each mill 
shall have only one vote." 

D. A. Tompkins moves that the amendment as prepared 
by W^ays and Means Committee and acted upon by the 
Board of Governors, be put before the Association and 
voted upon. 

Seconded by R. S. Reinhardt. Unanimously adopted. 

Secretary reads the qualifications of Associate members. 

R. R. Ray moved that an intermission of five minutes 
be granted so as to allow time to act upon application. 
Seconded by A. C. Miller. Adopted. 

Convention called to order again and addressed by Mr. 
Theo. C. Search, of Philadelphia, President National Man- 
ufacturers' Association. Subject: "Foreign Markets for 
American Goods and the Way to Develop Them." 

Address by Theodore C. Search. 
There is probably no branch of American industry to 
which are presented such possibilities of expansion as are 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 47 

offered to the cotton goods manufacturers of the United 
States in the opportunities for developing their trade in 
foreign markets. And to this statement should be coupled 
the fact that none of our great industries have fallen so 
short of the realization of these possibilities as has the 
cotton goods trade. The present is hardly a time when 
export trade is likely to be a very captivating subject to 
discuss with the cotton manufacturers of the United States/ 
except with those who are willing to look some distance 
into the future and to forget for the moment the conditions 
which immediately surround us. 

With such a demand in the home market at prices which 
cannot be obtained elsewhere, it is not suprising that cot- 
ton manufacturers, like all other producers, feel disposed to 
devote all their energies towards making the most of pres- 
ent opportunities, leaving consideration of what may follow 
until there is less urgency in current business. Four years 
ago when we were in the depths of business depression 
every manufacturer was ready to give instant attention to 
any proposition that offered to bring orders for his goods, 
and those who turned their efforts towards finding foreign 
outlets for their products found relief which the depressed 
and congested home market could not afford. 

It is strange how quickly the lessons of adversity are 
forgotten in the flush of prosperity, how deaf are many 
manufacturers to admonitions to look out for a repetition 
in the future of the dismal experiences of the past. If 
there be any one lesson which I would impress upon you 
more strongly than another at this time, it is the necessity 
for making provision now for this reaction which must 
surely follow this era of great prosperity. 

Now, above all times, is the opportunity to develop 
foreign markets, or at least to lay the foundations for a 
great trade in all our manufactured products in foreign 
countries. Never can our manufacturers afford so well as 



48 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

now to spend a little of their time, money and energy in 
this work. 

Foreign trade does not wait, ready-made, for whoever 
comes to seek it. It can be had only by patient and continued 
effort ; and, too, many of our manufacturers are ignoring 
this fact and expect to "look into the matter when business 
slacks oflf at home." The manufacturer who follows this 
policy will pay heavy penalty when the next period of 
depression comes along. 

The United States is the greatest cotton growing coun- 
in the world, producing twice as much as all the other 
countries combined. There is present here every condition 
necessary to make this the greatest cotton manufacturing 
country. We have two-thirds of the world's raw cotton 
right here in the South, water-power to drive enough spin- 
dles to spin every pound of cotton we grow, or if steam 
power be preferred there is the cheapest coal in the world. 
Labor is abundant and cheap, capital is not lacking for any 
legitimate enterprise, climatic conditions are all that is 
required, and when the goods are made they can be carried 
to the seaboard for shipment to a foreign market at lower 
transportation charges than are imposed in any other coun- 
try for similar distances. 

And yet in spite of all these advantages only 32 per cent, 
of the cotton grown in the United States is spun and woven 
here, 68 per cent, of the raw fibre being shipped to other 
countries — none of which enjoy the advantages we have — 
to be manufactured into yarn, cloth and thread and distrib- 
uted throughout the world. In the calendar year 1899 ^^^ 
exports of raw cotton from the United States amounted to 
$191,167,342, while the exports of cotton cloths were only 
$19,968,475 in value. For every dollars' worth of cotton 
cloth exported last year ten dollar's worth of raw cotton 
was furnished to manufacturers in Great Britain and on 
the Continent of Europe, and by them made into goods 
which could just as well be manufactured here. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 49 

These conditions ought to be reversed. The exports 
from the United States should show nine-tenths cotton 
goods and one-tenth raw cotton. 

The most striking evidence of the insignificance of the 
United States in the cotton goods export trade of the world 
is found in a comparison of the exports from the principal 
countries. The appended table shows the figures for 1897, 
including cotton yarns, thread and piece goods of all kinds : 

Great Britain 1310,270,994 

Germany 47,297,204 

France 23,030,304 

Switzerland 23,879,691 

United States 21,037,678 

British India 17,837,560 

Holland 16,923,798 

Spain 11,942,261 

Japan 6,718,117 

Belgium 4,317,410 

Austria Hungary 2,793,285 

Total 1486,048,302 

From these figures it will be seen that Great Britain, 
without a pound of homegrown cotton, controls 63.6 per 
cent, of the export trade of the world in manufactures of 
cotton, while the United States producing two-thirds of 
the world's supply of raw cotton, does only 4.3 per cent, of 
the export trade in the various manufactured cotton pro- 
ducts. Germany, France and Switzerland each lead the 
United States in exports of cotton goods, and it is only 
within a few years that we have passed Holland and Japan 
in this trade. 

Until within the past five years the position of the Uni- 
ted States in the export trade in cotton manufactures has 
undergone but slight change. In 1877 the exports first 
reached a value of $10,000,000, and it was not until 1896 
that the figures passed $15,000,000, the total for that year 
being $16,837,396. Since then the increase has been more 
rapid, and the exports during the year ended June 30, 1899, 
were the largest on record, amounting to $23,566,914. 



50 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

Consideration of these facts naturally leads one to ask 
why the United States has so small a share and progresses 
so slowly in the world's trade in manufactures of cotton. 
Some of the reasons can be cited with little difficulty. One 
of the principal causes is found in the peculiar conditions 
which govern the sale of the products of the cotton mills, 
conditions which are not generally found outside of the 
textile industries. Very few cotton mills do their own sel- 
ling, but dispose of their product entirely through com- 
mission merchants, who are given exclusive con- 
trol of the sale of the output. The mill, therefore, does 
not come directly into touch with the purchasers, either at 
home or abroad, and knows of trade conditions, require- 
ments and possibilities only at second-hand. 

The number of middlemen who take profits at various 
stages between the mill and the foreign consumer tends 
also either to reduce the proceeds for the manufacturer or 
to increase the cost to the buyer. In many cases, in the 
China trade for example, the mill passes its goods through 
its regular commission house, thence through a broker, 
thence through a commission export house in New York 
to the importing merchant in China or elsewhere. 

In such a procession as this no one of the intermediaries 
has any particular interest in the trade beyond the profits 
of his own part in the transaction. Where the goods come 
from or to whom they are going finally is of little moment. 
Some methods of handling the export trade in cotton goods 
are too cumbersome to permit of very rapid growth, and 
the mill and the consumer must get closer together if larger 
trade is to result. 

If I am pardoned for saying it, I will venture the opinion 
that the conservative policy of American commission 
houses, and manufacturers as well, has been something of 
a determent influence. Both have manifested reluctance to 
conform to the requirements of the foreign buyer. I know 
of one instance in which a commission house declined a 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 5 1 

sample order for about $2,000 worth of brown sheetings 
which were wanted by a very heavy buyer in the Levant, 
and the only reason for the refusal was the buyer's request 
for an extra label in characters which the commission mer- 
chant said he could not understand. 

In another instance a sample order for about 1200 pounds 
of yarn, with prospects of a large and regular trade, was 
refused by a southern mill on the ground that the bales 
required by the buyer were different in size from those 
usually packed by the mill. It was suggested by the mill 
that if the buyer would order 200,000 pounds the yarn 
would be baled as stipulated. It is needless to say, how- 
ever, that the buyer did not take the hint. 

The requirements of the various foreign markets in mat- 
ters of width, length and finish of goods, assortments of 
colors, size and style of packing, marks, labels, etc., and 
finally the terms of payment, are all important factors in 
development of foreign trade. Unwillingness to comply 
with these requirements is responsible for the loss of a vast 
amount of trade which should have come to American 
mills. 

It is attention to these details that gives Great Britain 
over $400,000,000 worth of this trade, annually, and with- 
out compliance with these requirements American manu- 
facturers never can secure the share of this business to 
which they are properly entitled by virtue of their natural 
advantages and their mechanical and commercial ability. 

The difficulties which are encountered in the develop- 
ment of foreign trade are less serious than they appear when 
first viewed by a manufacturer whose whole business life has 
been devoted to the production of goods for a market imme- 
diately at hand among his own people. There is no obstacle 
to the opening of foreign outlets which will not vanish 
quickly before the determined effort of the American man- 
ufacturer. There is nothing in the requirements of the 
foreign buyer of cotton goods which our manufacturers 



52 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION, 

cannot meet just as easily and just as readily as their Eng- 
lish and European competitors. 

When asked to change his methods to meet the wants of 
the foreign buyer the manufacturer often hesitates and then 
declines because he doubts whether it will pay to depart 
from his long established methods. There is in the Uni- 
ted States much of a disposition to wait for foreign trade 
before preparing to care for it, a policy that practically 
guarantees that the trade will not come. 

It is gratifying to note, however, that many cotton man- 
ufacturers are equipping themselves to handle export trade, 
are preparing to meet foreign requirements to the fullest 
degree, and are reaching out for direct connections with 
large buyers abroad. Within the past three days I have 
received a letter from one of the largest cotton manufac- 
turing corporations in the United States asking me to sug- 
gest a man competent to locate in China as their resident 
selling agent. This is but an indication of a policy that is 
becoming more and more general as interest in the export 
trade grows and assumes practical form. 

No American industry has so much at stake in the future 
of the Orient as the manufacture of cotton goods. China 
has always been the largest market for American cotton 
goods, having taken in the calendar year 1899, $10,273,487 
out of a total of $19,698,471 worth of exports of piece 
goods. In the same period Great Britain exported to China 
$25,548,141 worth of similar goods. When we consider^ 
however, that there are 400,000,000 people in China, most 
of whom are clothed wholly in cotton fabrics, it can be 
seen that our present trade there is trifling in comparison 
with the possibilities of that market. 

The China trade in American cottons is of longstanding 
and American brands are probably better known than in 
other foreign country. The advantage is distinctly on our 
side in that market, and most of the trade that England 
now controls there would probably be ours, were it not for 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI.ICATION. 53 

the predominance of British influence in the commerce of 
China and the almost entire absence of American mer- 
chants in that country. 

It is a striking feature of the situation that the bulk of 
the American cotton goods sold in China are handled by 
British merchants. It is easy to see that the establishment 
of strong American houses in China would very largely 
increase the sale of our goods there. 

It was with this end in view that the National Associa- 
tion of Manufacturers undertook the establishment of a 
sample warehouse in Shanghai which is now receiving the y 
first shipment of samples from the United States. About 
seventy of the largest manufacturers of the United States are 
represented in this warehouse, and the showing of the goods 
under such favorable auspices cannot fail to give great 
impetus to American trade in China. 

The last letter received from the manager of this ware- 
house refers with much emphasis to the possibilities of 
the cotton goods trade in China, and mentions an Eng- 
lish salesman who has just gone home with orders for piece 
goods amounting to $200,000. 

This whole subject of foreign trade in cotton goods is so 
inviting, so interesting and so expensive that one might 
talk for hours without more than introducing the topic. It 
is the one matter above all others which the cotton manu- 
facturers of the United States must consider with much 
c^re and thought. Just at this moment there is little need 
of additional outlets for the products of their mills, but the 
conditions of two and three years ago will surely return, 
and in even more serious and oppressive form. 

The building of new mills continues at a rapid rate and 
when another era of depression shall appear — as it wi 1 
without possible doubt — the discrepancy between supply 
and demand in the home market will be more alarming 
than ever. To guard against such disaster either there 
must be a stoppage of new construction and a curtailment 



54 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

of production, or new outlets must be created for the large 
surplus of goods which the home market cannot absorb. 

This is an era of expansion and no progressive manufac- 
turer will undertake to argue that no more mills should be 
built or that the production of existing plants should be 
restricted. The proper course is that which will broaden 
the industry and extend its trade. There need be no fear 
that we shall ever have too many cotton mills in the United 
States ; the only danger is that we shall have a market too 
small and too limited to dispose of their output. 

Foreign trade offers a ready solution of the whole prob- 
lem. I believe we should build all the mills we can and 
run them day and night if necessary ; but look abroad for 
new markets, instead of allowing surplus stocks to accu- 
mulate and prices to decline because of a glutted market. 

Pursuit of such a policy will enable cotton manufactur- 
ers of the United vStates to run their mills continuously 
and at a profit, and will permit indefinite expansion of the 
industry. This is the only course which good business 
judgment and progressive ideas can sanction. [Much 
applause.] 

Address by Mr. Arthur H. Lowe, of Fitchburg, Mass., 
ex-President of the New England Manufacturers' Associa- 
tion, 

Address of Mr. Arthur H. Lowe. 

Mr. President and Members of the Soitthern Cotton 
Spinners Association : — I assure you that I appreciate 
more than I can express, your invitation to attend this 
convention and speak at this meeting. 

I shall never forget or fail to appreciate, the royal 
reception, hospitable welcome, and entertainment that our 
New England Cotton Manufacturers Association, of which 
I was at one time an officer, received from you Southern 
Manufacturers here in Charlotte, and in the other cities 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 55 

that we visited when we attended the exposition at Atlanta 
in 1895, and I would be ungrateful indeed if I did not 
renew my thanks at this time, which I do most sincerely, 
and bring the congratulations and good wishes of the New 
England Association. 

When I contrast the condition of cotton manufacturing: 
here as I saw it, upon my first visit, in 1886, with the con- 
ditions as they exist now, I congratulate you most heartily 
and assure you that I cherish for you the highest admira- 
tion. 

After my return North from that first visit, I had con- 
siderable to say among Northern manufacturers, about 
your facilities and advantages for cotton manufacturing 
here in the South, and predicted that your enterprise 
would grasp and develop the opportunities, and that you 
would soon become a great factor in the cotton manufact- 
uring of the woild. 

It was said by some of my friends in criticism that I 
was overstating the case, but I submit that the 
results as they exist to-day more than justify my prophecies. 

You gentlemen by your enterprise and sagacity have 
made a conspicuous reputation, known and read the world 
over, for yourselves and your section, and deserves highest 
credit for your achievments. 

You cotton manufacturers have done the South more 
good, than the representatives of any other industry, 
because your mills and benefits, are more scattered and 
come nearer to the needs of the people. 

You will remember that Emerson said : 

"Give fools their gold and knaves their power, 

Let fortunes bubbles rise and fall, 
Who herds a field or trains a flower, 

Or builds a mill is more than all. 

It would seem as if Emerson referred to the great need 
of vour section when he wrote that last line. 



56 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

I congratulate you upon the harmonious and co-opera- 
tive spirit that has existed among you manufacturers and 
your employees. 

I congratulate you upon the encouragement and loyal 
support that your enterprises have received from State, 
county and city governments. 

And while I believe some National legislation would be 
beneficial, may you never suffer from the adverse and 
hampering laws existing in our section. I congratulate 
you upon the untiring and persistent support that you 
have had from the public press, especially would I mention 
the The Mamifactiirers^ Record^ The Textile Excelsior^ and 
of similar textile and mechanical papers, which have been 
and are, conspicuous instrumentalities of your success. 

I congratulate you manufacturers upon the establish- 
ment in your section of textile schools. 

All honor to one of your members, who has done such 
noble work in this cause. 

Their value in years to come will be inestimable. 

I believe that your advantages, and past experiences in 
cotton manufacturing, your present successes and your 
preparations for the future, are fitting you to meet success- 
fully any competition of the future, except possibly your 
own over-production. 

Gentlemen, I would like to continue complimenting and 
congratulating you upon your splendid achievements; upon 
the marvelous increase in the quantity of your product, 
and the improvement of its quality; upon your enlarged 
and promising export business, which you must retain at 
all hazards; upon the confidence that you have inspired by 
your successes, and upon the active and vastly profitable 
condition of your industry in these McKinley times, but I 
am reminded that your Board of Governors through your 
secretary, invited me to deliver an address upon the sub- 
ject, "The Production of Fine Goods by American Manu- 
facturers." 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 57 

I accepted the invitation and consented to speak upon 
this subject, because I know so little about it, and of course 
you know that a man usually speaks most willingly about 
those things that he knows the least about. 

I did decide, however, that my remarks should have the 
merit of brevity. 

I am afraid you will be disappointed if you expect me to 
give you any suggestions of scientific, mechanical or 
statistical value. My remarks will be simple assertions, 
and repetitions of well known ideas which it is well to 
consider occasionally. 

In the first place I could find no scientific formula that 
determined between course and fine cotton goods, and I 
don't believe you care to have me go into a dissertation 
about the number of yarns to be used, or the picks per 
inch required to make fine goods; to discuss the use of 
Jacquards, Dobbys, Leno or Lappet motions or recommend 
any machinery. 

This could only be done interestingly and intelligently 
with samples of goods before us. 

Neither can I give you any idea as to the number of 
spindles or looms producing fine goods, nor any idea as to 
the yards or value of fine good produced or marketed in 
this country. 

This depends very much upon where the line is drawn 
between course and fine goods, and the general business 
conditions prevailing in the country. 

However, there are several interesting and important 
problems to consider in connection with the production of 
fine cotton goods. xA-u American manufacturer who would 
produce fine goods, should have a good deal of courage, 
consider carefully first of all, what the product shall be, 
its degree of fineness and its market and the greatest of 
these is the market. 

He must decide if tlie product will be fine yarns, or fine 
plain cloths for printing, or converting, or fine fancy 



58 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

cloths in fancy weaves or fancy colorings and stick to it. 
He cannot jump from course to fine at will. 

As you are to have an address upon the subject of fine 
yarns by one who is better qualified than I am to speak 
upon the subject, I will confine my remarks to the produc- 
tion of fine finished colored goods, and the market and sale 
of such goods. I hope that the gentlemen, who speaks to 
you upon the manufacture of fine yarns, will not fail to 
discuss and emphasize the importance to spinners of fine 
yarns, who sell their production in yarns establishing a 
reputation for the quality of their product, and the necessity 
of maintaining that reputation. 

Put the name of your mill upon your products and 
require your agents to sell the goods as from your mill. 
Let the buyer know that you make good yarns and merit 
his trade. The domestic comsumption of fine cotton goods 
as compared with coarse cotton goods is limited, and the 
possibilities of exporting such goods is very remote. The 
millions consume the cheaper and more durable goods. 
The few wear the delicate and more perishable fabrics. 
The value of fine goods depends more and more, as the 
cost advances, upon their attractiveness in texture, coloring, 
and finish, and more or less upon the taste, appreciation 
and caprice of the buyers. 

The risks in making finished fine cotton goods ready for 
consumption, are many fold more than the risks upon the 
coarser and staplier goods. 

The percentages of depreciation when sold under pres- 
sure are larger. The guarantee 80x88 -40s worth 6}4, 
to 634. Sold after printing and finishing at 5c. 

The very fine high cost fancy cotton goods, cost so much 
to make that buyers easily pass to silk, worsted, or fine 
woolen fabrics. So much of the cost of fine goods is labor 
that the American manufacturer of such goods cannot com- 
pete with the foreign, unless he has a reasonable tariff 
sufficient to encourage and protect him. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 59 

And, gentlemen, you Southern cotton manufacturers 
ought to give help and support to such a tariff. 

The American manufacturer of fine goods is terribly- 
handicapped by the prejudice of buyers against domestic^ 
and in favor of foreign made goods. I am afraid our wives 
and daughters are not quilters. Just as meritorious cotton 
goods are made by American manufacturers, as can be 
made anywhere in the world, and will be if the x\merican 
manufacturers can have the support of the buyers, and 
consumers of America. 

At your mills, we examine and test thoroughly, all the 
different foreign, and many of the domestic made goods, of 
which we can obtain samples that compete with our goods^ 
and we find that the American made goods of similar classes 
are equal in fabrication, as fast in colors, more durable, 
and ffir better value to the consumer, than the foreign made 
goods. 

The American designers are producing as artistic and 
beautiful patterns and effects as any of the foreign products. 

When the American consumers realize this, and will be 
loyal to our home products, the foreign goods will be 
driven out of the market. Now the manufacturers of fine 
yarns for weaving or the manufacturers of fine goods for 
convfiting, must be made to realize the importance of their 
part, in producing the perfect finished products. 

That we cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear is 
just as true now as it ever was, consequently the selection 
of the material is all important, whether it be the selection 
of cotton for the production of fine yarns, or the selection 
of fine yarn for the production of fine cloth. 

Buy your cotton of reputable concerns, and always buy 
a little better quality than you seem to require. Buy your 
yarns of spinners, who have established reputations, and 
who furnish just what they agree to, or a little better. 
Having determined to make fine finished goods, the 
utmost care must be taken to procure an organization of 



6o TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBIvICATION. 

management and overseers, who by nature and training 
have the taste and skill to produce the desired results. 

The most important factor in the production of fine 
-goods successfully, is brains and skill in the organization. 
The desire and ambition to make the best goods of their 
class, must permeate both principals and subordinates. 
The taste, skill, patience and perseverence required to make 
fine goods, is of slow growth. 

Some have said that it must be inherited. 

You will bear in mind that we are considering the pro- 
duction of goods that require something more than mere 
mechanical ability. The manufacture of such goods as 
we are considering, depends more upon brains and taste 
than upon bricks and mortar and machinery. Here is 
where the training of the textile school becomes of great 
value, and almost a necessity. 

The manufacture of such goods, is a fine art, and 
requires an experience, taste, and skill almost unknown to 
the production of the coarse staple goods. 

The simplest part of the whole matter is to carefully 
select the location, get good engineering ability to plan 
and arrange the mill; buy the best up-to-date machinery, 
and start it up. The successful manufacture of fine goods 
does not depend upon any of these conditions, for I have 
seen beautiful fine goods that were made in not the best 
location, nor in the best built or best arranged mill, nor 
upon the latest or best machinery, still the better condi- 
tions are all important, and will assist in producing the 
desired results. I believe that the external conditions 
about the mill, such as pleasant homes for the help, shade 
trees, well kept lawns, shrubs, flowers, clubs and reading 
rooms for employees. The best club I have ever seen in 
connection with a cotton mill is at the Eagle and Phoenix 
mill here in Georgia. Cleanlin.ss and order and good 
discipline in the mill are absolute necessities. 

The spirit of cleanliness that is next to Godliness is 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 6r 

what is wanted. Clean operatives with clean hands, clean 
machinery, clean floors, and clean windows are required if 
you will make clean, attractive goods. 

Good light must be had at all times, whether natural or 
artificial. I believe that the one story saw-tooth building 
with the North light is the best for weaving fine goods. 

Steady speed and proper humidity are necessary. 

All these conditions are important in the manufacture 
of the coarser grade of goods, but they are more needful 
in the production of the finer goods. 

I have had no experience in the bleaching or printing of 
fine cotton cloths, but I know, that that branch of the 
industry requires educated and refined ability in the design- 
ing departments, high prices and skillful workmen in the 
printing department and very expensive and perfect 
machinery. 

In the dye house and in the coloring of fine yarns I can 
tell you from experience, that eternal vigilance is the 
price of success. Utmost care must always be taken to 
prevent broken or snarled yarn and the waste of expensive 
dye stufTs, you cannot afford to waste high priced yarns or 
dye stuff purchased by the ounce. 

Knowledge and experience of a high order are required 
to produce shade, brilliancy, delicacy and always absolutely 
fast colors. A whole address could be delivered upon this 
branch of the manufacture of fine goods. 

Now with the proper materials, beautifully colored 
printed or woven into fabrics, designed and dele mined 
with the greatest amount of foresight and taste that it is 
possible to display, we come to the finish of the fabrics, 
which is so important that the whole effort will be a fail- 
ure if the finish and put up are not exactly right. So 
important is this part of the manufacture of fine goods to 
the handling and sale of such goods, that it must not be 
overlooked. 

The appearance of the goods in bands and tickets ready 



•62 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

for sale, must be so pleasing that the most critical buyer 
will be convinced of their merit and value. 

The sample cards showing the goods in their various 
combinations and colorings and fancy weave effects, must 
be made with great care and attractiveness, and in many 
cases in such expensive shape and quantities as to add 
greatly to the selling expense. 

The goods we have been considering are made for and 
are only sold in seasons, some lines having sale in only one 
season in the year, and some lines having sale in two or 
more seasons. 

The carrying of these goods from one season to another 
is an important feature, involving much capital, insurance, 
storage, and other expenses. And now, gentlemen, in con- 
clusion I will tell you in confidence, that the profits on 
such goods as we have been considering are not as large as 
they should be, when you consider all that has been in- 
volved of work and worry and risk in their manufacture 
and sale. 

I hope that I have not discouraged any one, who is 
ambitious to make fancy colored cotton goods, by what I 
have said; it was far from my intention to do so. 

I have simply blazed the way through some of the 
experiences and difficulties that will certainly be 
encountered by any one who undertakes the enterprise. 
■itt Simply mentioned some of the chafed and sore spots 

of one who has had these experiences. 

D. A. Tompkins — I wish to report a communication 
sent Mr. Search from Mr. D. M. Thomson, President of the 
New England Manufacturers' x'Vssociation, expressing his 
regret not being able to attend. 

Secretary read letters from the Queen City Telephone 
Co., also the Bell Telephone Co., inviting the members of 
■of the Southern Cotton Spinners' Association to use — free 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 63 

of charge — the lines of these companies. Moved and sec- 
onded vote of thanks be tendered. Adopted. 
Adjourned until 2:30 P. M. 

Called to order at 2:30 P. M., May loth, 1900, by Presi- 
dent McAden. 

R. B. Miller moved that reading of minutes of last 
convention be dispensed with as there was considerable 
business of importance to be attended to. vSeconded — R. 
S. Reinhardt. Adopted. 

Secretary Hiss — Mr. President, we have names here of 
several gentlemen who have made application for member- 
ship and these cannot be elected without a suspension of 
rules. 

A. C. Miller moved that rules be suspended and the 
applications read and elected members of the Association, 
Seconded — R. S. Reinhardt. Adopted. 

President — The next in order of business is the reading 
of the report of the Secretary and Treasurer. 

Report of Secretary and Treasurer. 

Mr. President.^ Members of the Association^ Gentlejnen: 
— In submitting to you for your consideration report of the 
Secretary and Treasurer, beg to advise that it has been 
thought best to make a statement at this meeting of the 
finances of the Association, from its organization until and 
including the fifth day of May, 1900. You will please, 
therefore, bear in mind that the figures set forth in this 
report are not the result of twelve months' work, so far as 
they bear upon the finances of the Association, but cover 
all moneys and di.- bursements from the beginning of the 
Association. But touching simply upon the last twelve 
months, beg to advise that since our last annual meeting, 



64 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

held in this building on the nth of May, 1899, there has 
been held eight meetings of our Board of Governors, held as 
follows: June loth, 1899, a meeting was held in this city; 
August 30th, 1899, a meeting was held in this city ; Sept. 
22nd, 1899, a meeting was held in the City of Philadelphia, 
at which meeting there were some twenty odd members of 
the Association gathered, including the officers and mem- 
bers of the Board of Governors; October 6th, 1899, a 
meeting was held in this city ; November 2nd, 1899. a 
meeting was held in this city ; March 7th, 1900, a meeting 
was held in this city ; March 31st, 1900, a meeting was 
held in this city ; May 9th, 1900, the last meeting was held 
in this city. 

The attendance of these meetings was wonderfully good 
in point of numbers. In fact since the organization of 
this Association the attendance of the officers and Board of 
Governors has been almost without parallel from point of 
attendance. 

At a meeting of this Association two years ago, there 
was a trifle over one hundred thousand spindles represented 
in the Association. At our meeting of one year ago, the 
Association represented about five hundred thousand 
spindles, and this year we have represented over two 
million spindles (this taking in the members elected today). 
Thus, can easily be seen the growth of this organization, 
which was organized in this city on the 15th of May, 1897,. 
and will, therefore, not be three yearsold until the 15th day 
of May, 1900. This grand result has been brought about by 
the united interest taken in the work of the x\ssociation by 
those who have become its members, and thereby realized 
the great results that could be accomplished for good by 
supporting such an organization. The wonderful success 
thus far achieved is not the work of any one man or any 
set of men, but it is the united work and effort of every 
member of the Association. Therefore, every member of 
this Association has an equal right to feel that he is aiding 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 65 

and abetting the growth of this organization and is entitled 
to as much credit as anyone else for the grand success 
attained. 

During the past year, there has been prepared and issued 
a copy of our Constitution and By-Laws, together with a 
list of the officers of the Association, past and present, as 
well as a list of the members. Copies of this issue have 
been mailed to every President, Secretary and Treasurer, 
and superintendent of all cotton mills in the South, besides 
sending a copy to each member of the Association. This 
work was accomplished without drawing on the treasury 
of the Association for one cent of money ; on the other 
hand, in view of the fact that advertisers took advantage 
of the offer, made to them to advertise, there was gathered 
into the treasury about $ii6. The number of circular 
letters, circulars, and individual letters which have passed 
through the office of Secretary and Treasurer during the 
past twelve months, will number several thousand, and 
with each year's growth of the Association, this work must 
constantly increase. Secretary Hiss then read report of 
the financial condition of the Association. 



66 TWENTIETH CKNTURY PUBLICATION. 

Receipts and disbursements of the Southern Cotton 
Spinners' Association, year ending May 5th, 1900. 

Receipts. 

Advertising $ 677 50 

Postage .06 

Dues Active Members 1,050.89 

Dues Associate Members 831 84 

Banquet Fund 702.00 



$3,262.29 

Disbursements. 

Publishing Constitution and By-Laws $ 561 21 

Stenographers 223 30 

Postage 125.75 

Traveling Expenses 4S 85 

Notices and Stationary 193 80 

Telegrams 30.65 

Rent 6.00 

Exchange on Checks 4.30 

General Expenses 74 01 

Meeting Expenses, (Banquet May '99, etc) 550. 25 

Board of Governors, Item 5.00 

P'urniture and Fixtures 29.00 

Express 3.25 

Cash on Hand $ 5.03 

Cash in Mer. & Far. Nat'l Bank 1,401.89 1,406.92 



$ 3.262.29 
Charlotte, N. C. 

May 5th, 1900. 

R. B. Miller moves that report of the Secretaiy and 
Treasurer be accepted. Seconded — R. S. Reinhardt. 
Adopted. 

Next in order of business is the report of Committee on 
"Ways and Means." 

Mr. R. R. Ray — Mr. President, as chairman of the com- 
mittee on Ways and Means, I have no report to make. 

Report of "Committee on Finance." 

Mr. President — The undersigned have made an examina- 
tion of the books of the Secretary and Treasurer regarding 
receipts and expendituies since the organization of this 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 67 

Association. We have rev^iewed item by item the report 
made by the Secretary and Treasurer and find that the 
statements set forth by the Secretary and Treasurer are 
correct and accurate. We find that the books have been 
opened and each member properly credited with the amount 
of dues they have paid and taking it all together, we feel 
that there is no suggestion that we could make in the way 
of improvements so far as the bookkeeping is concerned. 

Respectfully submitted, 

R. S. Reinhardt, Chairman. 

A. P. Rhyne. 

Accepted. 

Reports of Special Committees. None. 

Next in order is New Business. 

R. B. Miller— Mr. President. From the report of 
the Secretray and Treasurer we learn that the Board 
of Governors have met here a number of times and they have 
defrayed all their expenses — hotel bills, etc., and I must 
confess that I thought that their accounts were being paid 
and that they were drawing on the treasury for their 
expenses, and it is very gratifying to me as a member this 
Association, that they have been so generous of their time 
and means. I am inclined to believe that their expenses 
amounted to some $800. Now the Board of Governors are 
unwilling to receive any compensation for their services, 
— they have so reported to the Secretary and Treasurer and 
I, as a member of this Association, think we owe them a debt 
of great proportions for their good services and think that 
in the future the expenses of the Board of Governors 
should be defrayed from the treasury of this Association. 
Furthermore, I wish to offer a resolution that their travel- 
ing expenses shall be audited by the Secretary and Treas- 



68 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

urei, and signed by the President and they shall draw from 
the treasury for their expenses in the future. I feel this is 
due them and make first this motion, to return thanks to 
them for their past services and for their liberality of hun- 
dreds of dollars which they have paid out of their own 
pockets. I make that first as a motion and hope it will be 
seconded and passed by acclamation. 

J. G. Morrison — Mr. President. Inasmuch as the 
Secretary and Treasurer does more work than any member 
of the Association, I think he should receive some compen- 
sation. 

R. B. Miller — Mr. President, I, of course, meant to 
include the Secretary and Treasurer in my motion, and 
I therefore make a motion to pay the Secretary and Treas- 
urer a yearly salary for his services. Seconded by J. G. 
Morrison. 

Secretary and Treasurer, Geo. B. Hiss — Mr. President. 
With all due respect to the gentleman that made the 
motion and to his second, I wish to say that the condition 
of the Association will not warrant such a step as has b^en 
proposed at present. The work was taken up by the 
gentlemen that started this Association without expec- 
tations of any compensation. The work has been an 
ardous one at times, but it has been a work — if you will 
allow me to say, of pleasure. I hope that the gentlemen 
will withdraw the motion and the matter will not be voted 
upon. While a candidate for another year I must advise, 
if the ofiEice carries with it a salary, I cannot consider it. 

R. B. Miller withdraws the motion and requests that it 
be referred to the Board of Governors. 

R. B. Miller — Mr. President, I wish to call attention to 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 69 

the motion I made a few minutes ago in reference to pay- 
ing the expenses of the Board of Governors. Motion 
seconded by J. G. Morrison. Adopted, Referred to Board 
of Governors. 

Dr. J. H. McAden, Pres. — Next in order of business is 
the election of officers. 

A. C. Miller — The time having arrived for the election 
of officers for the ensuing year, it is not necessary for me to 
introduce to vou this gentleman whom we wish for Presi- 
dent of this association. His name is known to all here — 
Dr. J. H. McAden. I thereby move that he be elected 
President of the Association by acclamation. Seconded — 
R. S. Reinhardt. Elected. 

President McAden makes a short address of thanks. 

A. C. Miller moves that Mr. J. P. Verdery be re-elected as 
Vice-Preiident of the Association. Seconded by R. B. 
Miller. Elected. 

Mr. R. R. Ray, moves that Mr. Geo. B. Hiss be re-elected 
Secretary and Treasurer. Seconded — R. S. Reinhardt. 
Elected. 

R. S. Reinhardt nominates A. P. Rhyne, R. R. Ray and 
J. C. Willingham for Governors. Seconded — W. C. Hardi- 
son. Elected. 

President reads telegram from Atlanta Business Men's 
League, Atlanta, Ga.: "Atlanta Business Men's League 
extends cordial invitation to the Southern Cotton Spinners' 
Association Convention for next year, royal welcome and 
good time guaranteed." 

R. B. Miller moves that we return thanks fo'- the kind 
invitation and the matter be referred to the Board of 
Governors. Seconded — R. S. Reinhardt. Adopted. 



70 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

Secretary reads program for meeting at Young Men's 
Christian Association building to-night. 
Adjourned. 

Young Men's Christian Association. 
At 8 o'clock, P. M., President J. H. McAden introduced 
Mr. Geo. Otis Draper, Secretary of Draper Co., Hopedale, 
Mass., who made an address. Subject: "Improvement in 
American Cotton Machinery. 

Address of Geo. Otis Draper. 

A subject so comprehensive must not expect elaborate 
treatment in detail, within the limited time afforded to an 
address of this nature. Whole volumes have been written 
with reference to certain separate cotton machines alone, 
and thousands of ingenious inventions have been patented 
by American inventors in this line, the greater part of 
which might well deserve at least a passing comment. The 
restriction of the subject to American improvements alone, 
necessitates distinction by comparison with improvements 
not of home origin. Cotton machinery was first developed 
from former crude hand processes, b}- English genius, 
entire mill equipments of semi-automatic machinery having 
been devised and used across the water, before American 
inventors attempted competition. As later improvements 
have been largely confined to modifications of the basic 
ideas furnished by the early English inventors, it cannot 
be properly said that Americans have actually originated 
any one broad class of cotton mill machines. If we are al- 
lowed to go outside the mill, we shall, of course, take pride 
in the cotton gin, sewing machine, and the new baling ma- 
chines, entirely American in character. The term ''Cotton 
Machinery," however, is not usually interpreted as includ- 
ing anything not found in the cotton mill proper. We 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 7 1 

must be willing, then, to credit the outside world with all 
the fundamental principles shown in the conceptions of 
Arkwright, Hargreaves, Paul, Kay, Cartwright, Crompton, 
Jacquard, Roberts, Heilman, and others, but it is undoubt- 
edly true that the greater part of the important later modifi- 
cations have been made by American inventors, especially 
during the last 50 years. In fact, the marvelous quicken- 
ing of American inventive genius in every line of mechan- 
ics has proved to many a marked superiority for the Ameri- 
can type of mind. As a matter of fact, however, it is some- 
what questionable as to whether artificial conditions are not 
largely responsible for this showing. The English patent 
system, for instance, denies their inventors the same pro- 
tection awarded by our own government, and Englisli cap- 
italists are more conservative in backing new enterprises. 
The fact that the most important of our modern textile 
improvements was developed from the ideas of a trans- 
planted Englishman, Mr. James H. Northrop, and the most A 
recent possibility by a Frenchman, Mr. Victor Belanger, 
shows that we must not be too sure of our superiority in 
mechanical evolution. 

If we take the various departments of the mill in turn, 
we enter at the picker room, to find that American inven- 
tion has been shown in recent improvements on automatic 
feeding machinery,and the automatic eveners used on pick- 
ers and lappers, are understood to have been of American 
origin. 

Passing to the card room, we must acknowledge that 
America has made but slight change in the machinery here 
included, for English cards, drawing frames, and slubbers, 
are still imported, showing that no American inventions 
are sufficiently important to absolutely guide the purchaser 
toward the American product. The English revolving-flat 
card has driven out the older American type with the 
Woodman and Wellman stripper, also the ingenious under- 
flat card of Foss and Pevey. While revolving-flat cards are 



72 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

built by many American builders, their general features are 
palpable copies of original English construction. That 
purely American idea, the railway head, with theevenerof 
Hayden, has also been largely replaced by the English 
coiler system. Drawing frames are also English in design, 
-/ although the change to metallic fluted rolls on these ma- 
chines and roving frames as well, is due the American in- 
vention of Dunham and McKemmie. While x\merican 
roving machinery is certainly equal, or superior, to that of 
any outside builder, the American improvements are large- 
ly in design, or modifications of a character that furnishes 
no basis for patent protection. 

It is in the next department, namely : the spinning 
room, that America has not only held her own, but led the 
world. Leaving the English mule out of the question, we 
find its competitor, the ring frame, American in every de- 
tail, save the original drawing rolls of Arkwright. Here is 
one instance where England has come to us for knowledge, 
they being glad to copy our spindles, rings, separators,guide 
wires, travellers, and general details. The original idea of 
spinning with a ring and traveller, appears in the American 
patent of John Thorpe, in the year 1828, being contempor- 
ary with the invention of cap spinning, by Danforth, in 
1829. The latter idea gained greater headway at the start, 
but the ring and traveler gradually came into prominence) 
being well established for use in spinning warp yarns by 
the 6o's. The double spinning ring of Carroll, invented in 
1864, is the oldest invention of its kind, to continue in un- 
changed form to the present day. This idea made no real 
change in principle, but won its place by cheapening the 
cost. The wonderful inventions, by which the speed of the 
spindle has been increased, due to the genius of Pearl, 
Sawyer, Rabbeth, Sherman, Atwood, Taft, Woodmancy, 
and various Drapers, have been largel} responsible for the 
continued encroachment of this method of spinning upon 
the territory formerly monopolized by the mule. The 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION, 73 

modern spindle is undoubtedly one of the most peculiar 
and original mechanical novelties known to science. No 
one has > et satisfactorily explained how a necessarily im- 
perfect mechanical structure can attain absolute concen- 
tricity in revolution, being- independent of changes in 
speed, and other serious variations in uniformity of affect- 
ing conditions. Pearl reduced size and weight, to lessen 
vibration, Sawyer provided a steadying upper bearing with- 
in the load, Rabbeth discovered the vital principle of a 
yielding bolster, Atwood made the whole structure yield, 
to meet the peculiar conditions of silk spinning; Sherman, 
Taft, and Woodmancy made important changes in design, 
and the various Drapers, and inventors under their charge, 
have perfected many important details. The speed of the 
old spinning frame was absolutely limited by the jar of the 
spindle above 6,000 turns per minute, while with the 
modern structure I have seen a spindle turn at 40,000 turns 
per minute, with absolute perfection, which is, of course, 
much higher than we now ever expect that the rest of the 
frame can run. The change of speed from the common 
type to the Rabbeth type, not only increased production, 
but it attained this gain without proportionate increase of 
labor cost, power, or wear. The saving to the world by 
these inventions, has been figured as worth $50,000,000.00 
in benefit to this country alone, and it has also been figured 
that the modern high speed spindle enables one operative 
to equal the product of 10,000, or more, spinsters, using 
the olden spinning wheels of the type well known within 
the lives of many here present. It hardly seems possible 
to realize that the inventions of one century have lessened 
human labor in one line at the ratio of 10,000 to i ; but 
the facts are actually understated in this extraordinary 
assertion. 

The increase of the speed involved a necessity for 
separating appliances between the spindles, the earlier 
trade type being invented by Doyle, and those now being 



V 



74 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

introduced, by Chandler, Rhoades, and Owen. Within the 
last 12 months, certain startling experiments with revolv- 
ing rings are knoYt^n to have been carried on, which point 
to great gains in speed by overcoming the former difficulty 
with the wearing out of travellers, and the breaking down 
of ends, if present limits were stretched. This line of in- 
vention was started by a man who had never seen a spin- 
ning frame before his first attempt at its improvement, 
namely : the Mr. Belanger, before mentioned, who became 
interested in the problem after certain discussions arising 
from consideration of other mechanical devices, about 
which I had advised with him. While every great change 
demands a certain length of time in which to master de- 
tails of construction, etc., I have great confidence that we 
shall soon see practical application of his ideas. Like the 
high speed spindle, this new ring idea involves another 
new principle in mechanics, it being found that a ring, 
allowed proper freedom of movement, can be revolved by 
its traveller at enormous speed, without frictional contact 
in its surrounding casing. It is theorized that a current 
of air is induced, which may prevent friction. It certainly 
prevents heat. This idea, like that of the spindle, trans- 
fers the limit of speed to some other part of the frame, and 
no one can prophesy where the end shall be found. The 
difficulty of piecing up ends, at high speed, has already 
been anticipated by the invention of a roving clamp, to hold 
the end of roving from delivery, if the yarn is broken. 
While more than a dozen devices of this nature are known 
in the state of the art, the most practical construction, to 
my mind, is embodied in a recent idea devised by Northrop, 
the loom expert. 

The spinning frame has practically ended the use of 
the mule on warp yarns, in this country at least. It has 
also more than held its own, in recent years, particularly, 
in the field of filling yarn. This change is largely due to 
the persistent efforts of the late George Draper, whose 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 75. 

vigorous crusade encountered a most discouraging con- 
servatism and prejudice. While the modern filling frame 
owes little to any special invention not formerly used on 
warp spinning, it is undoubtedly by the persistent trial of 
certain inventions, that the fact of success was practically 
demonstrated. Twisters, also, have been benefited from 
the inventions made originally for the warp frame, as they 
use similar spindles, rings, and travellers. The simplest 
and most efficient twister stop motion was designed by Mr. 
T. H. Smith, an American mill manager. 

Coming to the spooler, we also find certain of the spin- 
dle inventions employed, also the American bobbin holder 
of Wade, the guide developed by Laflin, Northrop, and 
others, and certain modern novelties in knot tyers, spool 
lifters steel construction, etc. I have recently seen a new 
design of belt spooler, adapted for the recent Clark bobbin 
holder, which drops an empty bobbin automatically to the 
belt, without necessity for the operative to remove the same 
by hand. I have also seen very promising experiments 
with a machine in which the spools are revolved by pres- 
sure against a travelling belt, which secures uniform surface 
speed, and therefore a higher average speed, enabling less 
spindles to be used, with less space to be covered by the 
operative, and less floor space consumed. 

In warpers, we have the stop motions of Walmsly, and 
others, the cone drive of Hicks, the beam doffer of Rhoades, 
and many important modifications for different uses, by 
Clark, Entwistle, Straw, Walcott, Denn, and others. Colored 
yarn demands extra processes, in which the chain dyeing 
system of Straw, as modified from the ideas of Gildard and 
Scrimgeour, has met with unvaried success. For colored 
filling yarn, the chain quilling machines, devised by Straw 
and Pratt, respectively, have gone into extended use. Yarn 
used for hosiery and other similar purposes, is now wound 
in cones or cylinders, on machinery of American origin, 
including ideas of Wardwell, Foster, and others. 



N<{ 



76 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

We thus find that the entire manufacture of yarn, from 
the roving to the cloth, has profited greatly by the attention 
of American minds. 

Passing by the slasher, a purely English machine, we 
now come to the weave room, which, like the spinning 
room, can fairly claim to include nearly all its modern in- 
novations under American ownership. The cotton power 
loom, of English origin, received its first change at Ameri- 
can hands, by introduction of the self-acting temple, by Ira 
Draper, who made his first invention in this class in 1816. 
From this idea started a business which has grown into the 
present Draper Company. Before the development of this 
device, cloth was held stretched after being formed in front 
of the reed, by clamps, which had to be continually moved 
forward by the operative. The self-acting temple immedi- 
ately allowed the weaver to turn two looms, instead of one, 
thus making a gain equal at the time, in proportionate re- 
sult, to the present gain of the Northrop loom. This tem- 
ple was later improved by George Draper, by a form which 
is still largely used to-day, and still later by Warren W. 
Dutcher, who supplied the reciprocating feature, and also 
developed a remarkable system of automatic machinery for 
producing the parts. The filling stop motion is another 
important improvement claimed for America, although it is 
only fair to say that the English dispute this point. The 
first parallel picker motion was invented by the same 
Dutcher whose name appears on all our modern temples. 
The first automatic let-ofT was devised by Erastus B. Bigelow, 
the well known inventor of the first carpet looms. It was 
modified later by Bartlett, in the form now used by nearly 
every American loom builder. Other types of American 
let-off inventions are shown in patents to Shepard, Cottrell, 
George Draper, Thompson, Morton, and others. General 
Draper has recently effected a combination of principles, 
aided by another well known inventor,Mr. Charles F. Roper, 
which seems to make this class of device absolutely uniform 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 77- 

in operation, from the full to the empty beam, never need- 
ing the slightest change in adjustment. Apart from these 
special features, however, the cotton loom, as a whole, has 
received no vital change in principle for several generations. 
In fact, many of us know of looms built over 30 years ago, 
which are still running in various mills, turning out a fair 
rate of product. In the line of fancy looms, however, there 
has been continual advancement, due to the inventions of 
Crompton, Knowles, Wyman, Hutchins, Stafford, and 
others. I do not pretend an intimate knowledge of this 
special class, and cannot, therefore, attempt to specify in 
detail in regard to the various ideas developed. It is per- 
haps sufficient to say that foreign loom builders have recog- 
nized the novelty of American ideas in these lines,by paying 
large royalties to their owners. 

Returning to the common loom, it will, of course, be 
expected that I shall refer to the Northrop improvements 
which have, of late, met with such remarkable success. In 
the limited time at my disposal I can hardly do the subject 
sufficient justice, and refer those interested in the details to 
a 100 page book which I have recently compiled, copies of 
which will be supplied on demand to those interested. These 
important novelties, which have led to a sale of more than 
60,000 looms since 1895, cover the first successful use of an 
automatic filling changer, the first successful use of a warp 
stop motion adaptable for general cotton weaving, and the 
first successful device for matching the pick, and making 
absolutely perfect cloth. The filling changer has more than 
halved the weaver's labor, the warp stop motion has pro- 
tected the cloth from warp faults, and the mis-pick device 
prevents faults in the filling on such goods as demand that 
grade of perfection. To illustrate the futility of attempting 
definite explanation, it is only necessary to state that there 
are over 200 patents already granted to our own inventors, 
to cover the detail of these combinations. Broadly speak- 
ing, the filling changer is an apparatus for supplying cops 



78 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

or bobbins of filling yarn to the running shuttle in a loom, 
whenever necessary, to keep the operation of weaving con- 
tinuous. The warp stop motion definitely prevents the 
weaving of cloth after any one warp end has broken, and 
the mis-pick arrangement, in its perfected form, supplies 
new filling to the shuttle just before the former supply is 
exhausted, so that no short end or empty shed shall be 
shown in the cloth. Since the introduction of these special 
changes, many other radical improvements in loom con- 
struction have been introduced by the builders of the North- 
rop looms. Such include the high roll take-up, which 
engages the cloth practically as soon as it is woven, to pre- 
vent shrinkage or wrinkling, and which allows the winding 
of a larger roll of cloth than usual, underneath. Also the 
change in construction, by which looms can be built all of 
one hand, instead of in rights and lefts, as formerly. One 
of the latest warp stop ideas does away with the former 
necessity for lease rods, but placing the detectors in a proper 
position to do the leasing themselves. Other loom builders 
have also brought out interesting recent features, such as 
the new Wyman shedding motion, of which we use a modi- 
fication, known as the Lacey fo^'m. Also a certain novel 
combination of picking and shuttle box devices, invented 
by Charles F. Perham, have enabled experimental looms 
to vary remarkably in speed, without banging off. There 
are also many recent attempts to revive the often abandoned 
principle of shuttle changing,on which we ourselves wasted 
much earlier energy. Of course, no inventions that have 
not been tested by continuous running under practical mill 
conditions, in large quantities, can be deemed sufficiently 
advanced for the practical mill man to take interest in them. 
To illustrate the process by which inventions are del 
veloped, I will refer briefly to the progress of the Northrop 
loom, as an example. Our former firm of George Draper 
& Sons, having brought the high speed spindle to a point 
where further attention to detail seemed unnecessary, plan- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 79 

ned a new field of effort by selecting the loom as an example 
of cotton machine still requiring many hand operations, 
and set an inventor definitely at work in the field of auto- 
matic shuttle changers. This was en Dec. lo, 1898. Dozens 
of inventors, mainly in English localities, had reached the 
point of patenting similar devices, but all former attempts 
were unsuccessful, if judged by the test of practical use. 
Our attempt was noticed by Mr. James H. Northrop, a man 
who had formerly been employed by us as an inventor, but 
who left our works to engage in farming, for a several 
years' relaxation, returning to employment as a member of 
our tool-room force. He began to give his evening thought 
to solution of the same problem, and after having made a 
few crude home experiments, approached me with the 
startling proposition that if given a chance, he could apply 
a shuttle changer within a week, that could be made in 
quantities for the cost of a dollar each. By invitation I 
visited his farm, to inspect a wooden model which was on 
exhibition in his hen house, and was sufficiently impressed 
to secure permission from the firm to get a loom, and see 
what he could do. The anticipated weekly period length- 
ened into several months, but a very fairly acting mechan- 
ism, (hardly within the $1.00 class, however) was ready in 
July, 1889. Experiments were continued with this first 
device at the Seaconnet Mills, at Fall River, on several 
small lots of looms. During this trial, Northrop had the 
inspiration of changing the filling within the shuttle itself, 
and threading the shuttle automatically, by the movement 
of the loom. This started so favorably that the shuttle \ 
changing principle was dropped, and Seaconnet looms were 
changed over to adopt this new idea. The history of the 
next six years of experiment, outlines a record of patient 
perseverance, and undying faith, fit to parallel with many 
a more widely heralded endeavor. i\t no time within that 
period could success be definitely guaranteed, and the ex- 
pense incurred was way beyond the limits usually allowed 



8o TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

in such ventures. Mr. Northrop worked over his machine 
days, nights, and Sundays, and General Draper and I, who 
had charge of the campaign, lived in his experiment room 
for a good part of our working time. Other Hopedale in- 
ventive talent was also brought to bear on the various 
problems, with the result that looms were actually sold and 
running in a mill, by the spring of 1895. (For convenient 
reference, and use in possible litigation, I have prepared a 
printed record of these experiments, which, for the period 
mentioned, includes over r, 000 pages of largesized volumes, 
to properly note down the detail of the evolution.) Apart 
from the outside trials at the Seaconnet and Pacific Mills^ 
we equipped and ran a weave room of 80 looms, in our own 
works, for over a year, giving a public exhibition of the 
advantages of the new system, before accepting orders. 
Even then, the conditions that might defeat our ends, when 
attempting to start looms in mills, weie necessarily more 
or less problematical. We had sufficient faith, however, to 
accept orders for several thousand looms, before we had 
run any of the recent model in an outside mill, increase our 
plant, and risk, as has been conservatively figured, over one 
million dollars in the entire venture, before we were sure 
of success. Even with the splendid records made by these 
earlier sales of looms, we were by no means relieved from 
further anxiety. Different uses required different styles? 
different weights, different modifications, and different at- 
tachments. Continual improvements in detail caused us 
to make extensive changes in the loom construction, making 
hundreds of expensive patterns, and special jigs, etc., worth- 
less. After the first rush, orders came in more slowly, and 
as it was necessary to employ large forces of extra drafts- 
men, pattern makers, inventors, and experts, the expenses, 
on the whole, nearly over balanced the profits. It was 
certainly somewhat disconcerting to find that, after labor- 
ing for several years to develop a new machine, returns 
figured less, in the first few years of introduction, than if 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 8 1 

we had simply used our tools to make some standard trade 
machine, taking the regular trade profit. The tide, how- 
ever, commenced to turn last year, and success came so 
suddenly that it has even proved embarrassing. We have 
been forced by excess of orders, to provide for the employ- 
ment of at least 2,000 extra men, to be employed on looms 
alone; and even then, the end may not be reached. 

Such is the record of the development of one American 
cotton machine improvement, and it could be paralleled in 
modified detail by many another instance. It must not be 
forgotten that a complete machine of this nature involves 
the combination of dozens of separate inventions, each of 
which, like links in a chain, must do their part satisfactorily. 
In the development of each separate device, the failures 
mount up to incredible figures, we having in our museum 
180 separate models of the shuttle, alone. Not only must 
the machine itself be brought to practical perfection, but 
the protection of each new idea by proper patents, demands 
an almost equal attention to detail. The success of a com- 
petitive machine stimulates keen competition from many 
others with inventive talents, who look upon a patent as a 
challenge to their power of evasion or substitution. It often 
happens that the profits of an introducer on the one hand, 
are more than balanced by the losses of the unsuccessful 
promoters, on the other hand, and courts of law usually 
claim a certain share of capital from either. While the 
American patent system has, as before stated, been of great 
value in protecting our inventors, it by no means affords an 
absolute guarantee of monopoly. The fact that patents may 
sometimes be evaded, actually stimulates a wider range of 
inventive effort. To illustrate the extent of which this 
faculty may be cultivated, it is only necessary to say that the 
Sawyer Spindle Company alone has owned about 500 patents 
which ring the changes on a small piece of mechanism, 
weighing hardly a pound, and composed of but four or five 
primal elements. Speaking as a manufacturer, I can affirm 



82 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

that without the protection of patents, such as it is, it would 
be folly to invent improvements in a trade machine; for the 
expense of the necessary experimenting and changes, would 
be a burden easily escaped by a competitor who simply 
copied the result. It certainly would be easier and simpler 
to stick to old patterns, if improvements were simply a form 
of altruism. 

The general subject of improvements, brings up a 
question which has never /et been definitely settled, namely: 
how much credit is due the inventor, how much to the 
practical designer, and how much to the introducer. The 
inventor is usually the only one that receives any public 
attention, as his name associates with the idea, no matter 
how much it may have been modified by others. The prac- 
tical minds that guide the inventor's talent, or lick his crude 
idea into shape, remain unknown to fame; while the bus- 
iness ability that forces use of the new idea, is not usually 
considered as adding anything of great value to the com- 
l)ination. Of course many an inventor works his idea into 
prati-'al shape himself, and some even continue their as- 
sociation by introducing their novelty, by their own 
efforts. The general run of such men, however, usually 
depend more or less upon the assistance of a designer and 
business associate. Should we judge of the three by com- 
mercial standards, it will be found that the introducer 
generally takes the larger share of the profits, which would 
seem to prove that talent in this department was rarer than 
in the other two lines. F'or instance, in cotton machinery 
there are hundreds of inventors to each machine builder, 
:and few builders that care to handle their products. As 
some of the most wonderful ideas in mechanics have come 
to men by a flash of intuition, it seems perhaps unfair to 
credit them too highly, as against the years of toil devoted 
to the perfection of the new principle, or the nerve that 
risks largely in attempting to make the public appreciate 
the benefit that may be derived from it. The Whitney 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI,ICATlON. 83 

cotton gin, even after its first development and introdnction, 
only had a prodnct of 70 pounds of cotton per day. A 
modern gin often runs through over 4,000 pounds per day. 
How many can name the men whose efforts have thus 
multiplied this original capacity ? The original spinning 
ring and traveller was merely thought of as patent office 
freak for years, before it gradually met with appreciation. 
Cartwright showed a warp-stop motion in his patent of 
1786; and yet an English writer in 1895, referred to such 
devices as representing a still unsolved problem. To-day 
wehave 10,000 warp-stop motions running in one mill alone. 
Many excellent ideas appear before their time; others lack 
the practical element, which remains to be furnished by a 
less creative, but more experienced mind. Certain others 
are simply the logical results of conditions forced by other 
innovations. The separator would have been useless before 
the advent of the high speed spindle, likewise the revolv- 
ing ring. 

There are many curious facts connected with the his- 
tory of cotton machinery impro\'ements, which, of course, 
only fall within the knowledge of those behind the scenes. 
One of the most ingenious devices of the kind, was kept 
hidden for years, (not by my company, however) waiting 
for certain patents to expire. Certain clever ideas, of possi- 
ble practical value, have often been shelved, because their 
use would upset trade conditions, and disturb uniformity 
of product. Many a good little idea is not taken up, be- 
cause the trouble of introduction cannot be repaid by the 
possible profits. Many a good big idea, suffers by reason 
of its demand on large sources of capital, by which to develop 
and introduce it 

The subject of cotton machinery improvements cannot 
be considered as complete, without some reference to certain 
difficulties with which the introducer of such improvements 
has to deal. Labor-saving machinery always meets with a 
more or less stubborn resistance by a narrow-minded class 



84 TWKNTIKTH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

of help, and expensive changes are often less openly, but 
still as persistently opposed by the ultra conservative mill 
owner. Those, therefore, who thus endeavor to aid the 
world to progress, instead of being received with open arms, 
as it were, more often have the door shut in their face. Not 
that they should be unduly admired for their generous im- 
pulses, as, like other humanity, they are not afraid of a 
profit; but careful consideration of their more reasonable 
assertions is always wise. In the early history of cotton 
manufacture, in England, mobs actually broke into mills, 
and destroyed new machinery. Even more recently, a 
public parade was held, in which the model of a slasher, 
then a novel machine, was carried through the streets, to 
be buried with certain formal obsequies. In this country 
antagonism to new ideas has been less open in character, 
but still formidable enough at times to make the process of 
introduction quite a serious hazard. I am pleased, however, 
to relate that such exhibitions of prejudice have not been 
manifested by this immediate section of our country, the 
South having shown a readiness to adopt improvements, 
that encourages our trust in human nature. I find it re- 
corded in the New England Cotton Manufacturers' records, 
that in Nov. 1881, my grandfather, George Draper, made 
a very similar statement in the following words: "I want 
to bear testimony to this fact, that all those Southern people 
connected with manufacturing, are terribly in earnest. They 
are bound to learn everything that they can about manu- 
facturing, or anything that they undertake. They seem 
like new converts, so to speak." An address on the subject 
of improvements, therefore, seems rather out of place in this 
present environment, for Southern manufacturers have 
already made themselves fully acquainted with all the 
modern improvements known to the manufacturing world. 
More new and improved cotton machinery is shipped South 
to-day, than is required by Northern demands, and the 
general proportion of mill equipment in this section, is cer- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 85 

tainly more np-to-date than in the older Northern mills. 
Certain economists of high standing, have figured that the 
principal advantage which has produced the rapid growth 
of the Southern cotton mill industry, is principally to be 
found in this use of newer processes; and it certainly is not 
for me to dispute any such contention. No improvement 
can be forced on intelligent men, unless its use is profitable. 
Many, however, let their chances go by, waiting, in the 
hope of enhancing that profit. Men still postpone their 
trip to Europe, hoping that a bridge will be built within 
their time. 

We are all working toward one definite end, namely: 
to cheapen and better the production of American cotton 
goods, and make our exports of cotton in rolls of cloth, 
rather than in bales of fibre. This present gathering proves 
that mill men are willing to let each other profit by all 
sources of general knowledge, and the man with the ma- 
chine stands ready to unite his mechanical skill with your 
business ability, in a common onslaught on cost of produc- 
tion. The way to improve, is to use improved methods. 

President McAden introduced Mr. Sidney H. Paine, 
electrical engineer, Boston, Mass. Address — " The Devel- 
opment of Electric Driving." (Illustrated with stereopti- 
can views which are reproduced here, through the courtesy 
of General Electric Co.) 

ADDRESS OF MR. SIDNEY H. PAINE. 

To a Southern manufacturer belongs the honor of 
having been the first to adopt the subdivided system of 
electric driving now in most general use. I use the word 
" honor " advisedly, for had ]\lr. C. K. Oliver, of Columbia, 
been a man of less courage, had he been content to merely 
follow in the paths marked out by his predecessors, the 
growth and development of the system would have been 







c 






•^ 

G 



T\VE;nTIETH century PUBIvICATION. 



87 



greatly retarded, and it could not have occupied the posi- 
tion which it does to-day. Mr. Oliver, however, was 
imbued with the spirit of the age, which is pre-eminently 
a spirit of progress. 

The standards of yesterday are not necessarily consid- 
ered the standards for to-day. Scientific inventions, if 
shown to be of practical value, are immediately adopted. 
This has been especially true in the department of elec- 
tricity. The telephone is of comparatively recent origin, 
yet it has already become a necessity; it would now be 




An Inverted Lid ud ion Motor. 



impossible to carry on business without its assistance. 
There is in this country hardly a town of 5,000 inhabi- 
tants whose streets are not illuminated, in part at least, by 
the arc lamp, yet at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 it 
was shown as a laboratory experiment. A little over 
twenty years ago Hdison suggested the possibility of sub- 
dividing the electric current by using incandescent lamps. 
Now over 100,000 lamps are manufactured daily in the 
various lamp factories of the United States alone. The 
first successful attempt to solve the problem of transporta- 



88 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

tion of passengers by the electric street railway was made 
about fourteen years ago. To-day 95 per cent, of the 
mileage on street railroads in this country is operated by 
electric motors, and it is now no longer a question as to 
which system shall be adopted. It is universally con- 
ceded that the electric railroad system, although more 
expensive in first cost, yields far greater returns and 
affords much more satisfactory means of transportation 
than the old horse car. 

A year ago, at the meeting of the New England Cotton 
Manufacturers' Association, I stated that there were about 
13,000 H. P. of electric motors in use in textile mills. 
Within the past year this use has increased to such an ex- 
tent that to-day there are nearly 30,000 H. P. of motors in 
operation in textile mills, or under contract. Adopted at 
the Columbia Mills as furnishing the most feasible solution 
of a very difficult problem, the electric drive has steadily 
risen in the estimation of manufacturers, until it bids fair 
to supplant the best mechanical methods. It is the pur- 
pose of this paper to rapidly sketch the growth of this 
application of electricity and to briefly mention some of the 
plants where special features are found. Similar cases will 
be grouped together, although installed at different periods. 

The early applications of this system were made for the 
purpose of supplementing existing powers. They at first 
were confined entirely to conveying the power from under- 
loaded, or otherwise unused, water wheels. 

The Ponemah Mills, of Taftville, Conn., was the first 
textile manufacturing company to use the electric system 
on a considerable scale. The shortage of power at Taft- 
ville suggested the possibility of utilizing a finely devel- 
oped water power at Baltic, 4 ' i miles away. The plant 
was started in January, 1894, and consists of two 350 H. 
P., three-phase, alternating current generators at Baltic 
and two similar machines at Taftville. The latter are 
used as synchronous motors and deliver power to the 



90 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



two main line shafts in the basement. This plant has 
been in successful operation, without interruption, for 
more than six years. A similar plant was installed at the 
Boston Duck Company, Bondsville, Mass. About half a 
mile below the mill an unused, and but partially devel- 
oped, water power afforded an opportunity of dispensing 
with two steam engines at the mill. This plant was 
installed in 1896, and consists of one 600 H. P. generator 
and a similar machine used as a synchronous motor. This 
plant has operated so successfully that the saving in fuel, 
obtained by discontinuing the use of the engines, has 
repaid the investment in the electrical apparatus. 




Dam and Pozvcr Ho7cse, Pelzer Mfg. Co. 

The next step in the development of the electric drive 
was at the Columbia Mills, at Columbia, S. C. A canal 
had been built originally to permit boats to pass around 
the rapids in the Congaree River. This use of the canal 
had long been discontinued, and only a portion within the 
city limits had been kept in repair. The canal was 
between the river and the mill site, and either a very costly 
tail race would have to be built under the canal, or else 
the mill would have to be driven by a long and expensive 
rope drive. The electric system was brought to the 
attention of the engineers, Lockwood, Greene & Co. 
Previous to that time this system was practically untried 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



91 



for this purpose, as the Ponemah Mills had not yet been 
started. Realizing this, the engineers and owners of the 
mill finally decided to place their sole dependence upon 
what was then but a theory. The results obtained, during 
the six years this mill has been in operation, have entirely 
justified their judgment. This is the first textile mill in 
the world to rely entirely upon motors driven by generators 
upon the premises, and also the first textile mill to adopt 
the subdivided system of driving. This system is now 
used almost universally in all new mills where the electric 
drive is adopted. 







i]i4^miiniii;iipi3|iiiiiii]iiii 



iiiiiiiiiniiniiiii; 
m 1 ., 



.^-Jf! iiilt 



All// Xo. 4, Pc/zcr Mfg. Co. 

The success at Columbia led to the next step in the 
development of the electric system. The Pelzer Manufac- 
turing Co., of Pelzer, S. C, decided to erect their No. 4 
mill. No water power was available within nearly three 
miles. A dam and power house were erected at this point, 
and the new mill was erected near the mill village. Over 
3,000 H. P. is carried electrically from the dam to the 
mills. Many new and unexpected problems were encoun- 
tered and solved, and to-day the mill is operating as suc- 
cessfully as any of the later installations. 

The success of the Columbia Mills further induced the 
Columbia Water Power Company (owners of the canal 




^ 
•^ 



■^ 



c 












TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



93 



supplying water to the Columbia Mills power house) to 
erect a large power house of their own, capable of ultimately 
accommodating eight generators, each of i,ooo H. P. and 
direct connected to water wheels. Three generators have 
been installed. From these are driven the Gran by Mills, 
lyi miles or more away, and using over i,8oo H. P. in 
motors. The Palmetto Mills have also been equipped with 
200 H. P. in motors, which receive their current from the 
Columbia Water Power Company's generators. 




-if- 






spinning Room , Pelzcr Mjg . Co. 

In numerous older plants, the distance between the 
prime mover and the machinery to be driven was too great 
to permit the use of mechanical methods, and in some 
case.'S, as at Columbia, for other reasons the mechanical 
method was impracticable. The results obtained at 
Columbia and Pelzer fully established the electric drive as 
a successful competitor with its older rival, and proved its 
value even on distances within reach of the mechanical 
system. In quick succession plants were installed by the 
Hadley Thread Co., Holyoke, Mass.; the Jackson Co., 



94 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



Nashua, N. H.; the Amoskeag Co., Manchester, N. H.; 
the Washington Mills, Lawrence, Mass.; the Wamsutta 
Mills, New Bedford, Mass., and at other places. In all 
these, mechanical systems were displaced and great bene- 
fits derived. 

The Anderson Cotton Mills, of Anderson, S. C , through 
their engineer, Mr. C. R. Makepeace, were the leaders in 
the adoption of the next step in the development of this 
system. It was decided to drive the spinning room in 
their new mill by means of small motors, each motor being 
placed between two spinning frames and direct connected 




Power House, Cohinibia Water Power Co. 



on either side to the frame by means of a friction clutch. 
This dispensed entirely with the use of all belting for 
driving the spinning room. The current is received from 
the Anderson Electric Light Company's station at Port- 
mann Shoals, ten miles distant. Between the water ivheel 
and the spinning frame there is not a single belt or auxil- 
iary shajt. The increase in quality and production 
obtained by the omission of belting has been very marked 
over mechanically driven frames. I have made many tests 
on this latter system, and find that there is a very large 
loss in speed on the frames, due to the slipping of the 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



95 



various belts between the engine or wheel and the frame. 
This is not dependent upon the speed of engine or wheel. 
In one case reported to the New England Association last 
year, I found that the speed on the front rolls in one room 
varied from 103 to 120 revolutions. A direct connected 
motor installed on one of the frames in this room showed a 
range in speed, during a week's run, of from 120 to 122 
revolutions on the front roll. The generator supplying 
current to this motor was operated by the same engine 
which drove the other frames. The belts on all the frames 
in the room operating mechanically, were taken up and 




Gran by Mills. 

the speed rose from 103 as a minimum to 113. This 
showed the loss of speed due to slipping of the belt. The 
difference between the 113 revolutions and 120 revolutions 
was accounted for by the fact that it is impracticable to 
make the various pulleys the exact diameter required, and 
is also due to a small extent to the fact that as the belts 
stretch they become thinner, so that the belt speed is re- 
duced. In another mill where the manufacturer claimed 
that he did not lose i per cent, in speed, he admitted to 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



97 



me after a test that he found a variation of at least 9 per 
cent, on his frames. In still another mill I found a varia- 
tion of over 15 per cent, between the various frames in the 
same room, all of which were supposed to run at the same 
speed. By tlie use of tJie electric system it is possible to 
maintain the sp2ed much more nearly at the theoretical' 
maximum than on the mechanical system. The experience- 
at Anderson has been very satisfactory. 

Within the last two years, however, the greatest advance 
has been made in the use of the electric system. I have 




Engine Room, Lancaster Mills. 

stated that, heretofore, the motive power was obtained 
mainly from water wheels. The Metropolitan Water 
Board, of Boston and vicinity, condemned the water power 
on the Nashua River, at Clinton, as it was necessary to 
draw upon this source for supplying the city of Boston and 
suburban towns with water. After a long controversy, 
damages were paid to the Lancaster Mills for the water 
power which was taken by the Metropolitan Water Board. 
The engineer of the mill, Mr. Stephen Greene, had had 
experience with the electric drive at Columbia and Pelzer, 



98 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



and his attention was turned to that system as the best 
method of driving the mills. Only a few years ago the 
mechanical system would have been perpetuated in this 
mill. Mr. Greene, however, after careful study of the 
problem, recommended to the owners that their large new 
engine, which was to take the place of the water wheels, 
should be placed at some distance from the mill, and that 
it should drive the mill through the medium of generators 




Generating Set of the American Woolen Co. 



-and motors. This suggestion was finally adopted by the 
•owners of the mill. Aside from the generating plant, the 
system adopted in the Lancaster Mills is very similar to 
that in use at Columbia, Pelzer and all the other large in- 
stallations. A year later, the agent of the mill, Mr. 
Charles H. Richardson, found it desirable to displace the 
old engines which had been retained. So successful had 
been the results with the electric drive, in point of produc- 



TWENTIETH CKNTURY PUBLICATION. 



90 



tion and reliability, that a second engine of 2,200 H. P. 
was contracted for, which is to be direct connected to a 
generator, and additional motors are now being placed in 
the mill. When this plant is completed, it will aggregate 
nearly 4,000 H. P., and the electric system will be used 
throughout the mill. 

The accompanying illustration shows the 2,700 H. P. 
generator and engine which will be used in the plant just 
contracted for by the American Woolen Company, for the 
Washington Mills at Lawrence, Mass. 

Referring again to the Granby Mills, of Columbia, a 
careful log was kept in this mill for two years, and com- 












..jJiSt;- 



Olympia Mills. 

parison was made with a similar log kept at the Richland 
Mills, also in Columbia. The former is driven by motors 
receiving their current from the generators in the Colum- 
bia Water Power Company's power house. The latter 
mill is driven by an engine. These two mills were built 
and operated by Mr. W. B. Smith Whaley, who became 
very much interested in the electric drive as a result of 
this comparison. So much was the result in favor of the 
electric system that when Mr. Whaley designed the 
Olympia Mills, now being erected in Columbia, he decided 
to drive it throughout by motors. Three generators, each 
of 1,700 H. P. capacity, will be direct connected to vertical 
cross compound engines. These generators will not only 



L.cfC. 










I 

J 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. lOI 

supply power to the mill through the subdivided motor 
drive, but will also supply current to operate the street 
railway and the lighting system in the city of Columbia. 
Current will also be supplied to operate the Capital City 
Mills, now being erected in that city. The Olympia Mills 
is unique in several respects. When completed, it will be 
the largest single mill (measured in spindle capacity) in 
this country. Other corporations have more spindles, but 
their present capacity is the result of additions to the orig- 
inal plant by means of extending the older buildings or 
the erection of new buildings. The Olympia Mills is 
the first mill in the country to be especially designed and 
built for the use of the electric system, where the gener- 
ators are to be driven by steam engines. 

The following list shows this latest step in the develop- 
ment of the electric system. All of these generators will 
be driven by steam engines, to which they are direct con- 
nected. Five of the leading mill engineers of the country 
are represented in this list. Those marked with a star are 
new mills now in process of erection : 

Lancaster Mills, Clinton, Mass 

Lancaster Mills, Clinton, Mass 

*01ympia Mills, Columbia, S. C 

♦Buffalo Cotton Mills, Union, S. C 

*Ludlow Mfg. Co., Ludlow, Mass 

American Thread Co., Holyoke, Mass 

American Woolen Co., Lawrence, Mass .... 

*DeKalb Cotton Mills, Camden, S. C 

*Seneca Cotton Mills, Seneca, S. C 

It is interesting to note the higher speeds which have 
been adopted on the later engines. 

I will not go further into a description of these plants ; 
sufficient has been said to show the large extent and the 
variety of uses to which the system has been applied. I 
would now call your attention to some of the reasons which 
have led manufacturers to adopt the electric drive, operated 
by steam engines, in these new mills. 



en. H.P. 


Rev. 


I I, 600 


75 


I 2,200 


70.5 


3 each 1,700 


133 


I I , 700 


133 


I 1,000 


120 


I 800 


150 


I 2,700 


120 


I 600 


150 


I 600 


150 



I02 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBUCATION. 

The electric system does not increase the orig- 
inal INVESTMENT BY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PAID FOR 
THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. In manv items the first 
cost is greatly reduced. With the electric drive no belt or 
rope tower is required. The large main drive is omitted 
and the shafting is much smaller. Being subdivided into 
short sections, the shafting may be operated, if desired, at 
higher speeds, and smaller driving pulleys may be used. 
This will result in shorter hangers. Subdivision is ob- 
tained without the use of friction clutches as on the 
mechanical system. Ordinarily no separate lighting 
dynamo is required, the current for the electric lights 
being generally taken from the same generators which 
supply current to the motors. In a large mill these sav- 
ings will go very far towards paying the first cost of the 
electric system. 

As compared with a small mechanically driven mill, 
where provision is made for subsequent enlargement by 
extension of the main building, there are many other sav- 
ings in addition to the above. In such buildings the belt 
tower must be wide enough for the original building and 
also the extension. The driving wheel on the engine 
must have sufficient face for the larger mill. One side of 
a cross compound engine is sometimes installed at first, the 
other cylinder being added when the enlargement is made. 
For the sake of higher economy, as an alternative, half of 
a double tandem compound engine might be used. The 
alternative is, however, seldom adopted. The first plan is 
open to the objection of large fuel consumption, especially 
as the date of the enlargement is indefinite. Both plans 
provide a single crank engine, which is objectionable and 
uneconomical. Still another plan is to install the perma- 
nent engine complete at the start and operate under reduced 
steam pressure. No matter 7vhich of these plans is fol- 
lowed^ the extent of the enlargement^ as well as the char- 
acter of goods to be mannfactured therein^ must be deter- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 103 

mined in advance. If the mill is designed for fine goods, 
it cannot go on to coarse numbers and enlarge to the 
extent originally contemplated. The same limitations 
apply to the main shafting, which must be made sufficiently 
large to carry the subsequent addition as well as the 
present mill. It may be years before the extension is 
made, yet the burden of the first cost and uneconomical 
operation must be borne by the fiist mill. More than 
that, it may be found that after all the provisions made for 
enlargement are inadequate. 

How much more simple and reasonable is the solution 
of this problem in an electrically driven mill. Extend the 
building and add a second engine and generator with its 
complement of motors. The extent of the additioji and the 
character of the goods to be maiitifactnred need not be con- 
sidered lentil the time when such addition is necessary. 
Furthermore the first cost of the electrically driven mill 
will probably be less than that of the mechanically driven 
mill in which provision for enlargement is made. The 
cost of the engine and its foundations, for the latter mill, 
will be considerably higher than that for the mill using 
the electric system. The shafting in the mechanically 
driven mill, being much larger than is necessary for the 
present building, will be very much more expensive than 
that required in the electrically driven mill. 

If the small mechanically driven mill is erected with a 
view only to present requirements, additional capacity can 
only be obtained by the erection of practically independent 
buildings. If this is done, each department in the first 
mill must be duplicated in the second, and a double force 
of comparatively high priced labor must be employed. 
The first cost of the completed mill buildings would be 
much higher than if the original plan permitted of addi- 
tions by extension. 

Especially on mills where the motive power is furnished 
by water wheels, the cost of the mill foundations is often- 



I04 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

times very much less on the electrically driven mill, as an 
opportunity is afforded to secure a site on firmer ground 
than if it were necessary to locate the mill adjacent to the 
power house. 

Important as is the question of first cost, of 

STIEL more importance IS THAT OF ECONOMICAL AND 

FLEXIBLE OPERATION. In this respect the advantages are 
all on the side of the electrically driven mill, where the 
subdivided system is used. Briefly stated, the following 
are some of these advantages : 

Subdivision into independent sections, each driven by 
its own motor. 

Variations in speed in one section^ due to slipping on 
such belting as is still retained^ are not comtniinicated to 
other sections. 

The jnill is riot dependent upon one main drive. There- 
fore there is less liability of shut-down due to accident within 
the mill. If the shut-down occurs, it is only partial and 
local. 

It perjnits the operation of one or more sections overtime.^ 
without driving the shafting in other sections. 

There is less difficulty in keeping the shaftijig aligned. 
It therefore follows that there is a saving in labor and less 
power is wasted. 

Steadiness and uniformity of speed. This is occasioned 
by omission of many belts, and results in greatly increased 
production, as shown above, and in less repairs on the ma- 
chinery, especially on the looms. 

Uniformity in size of shafting. With a properly de- 
signed subdivision of the electric drive the diameter of the 
shafting is determined solely by the width of the bay. All 
pulleys and hangers are therefore of the same bore, except 
on those lengths of shafting which carry the receiving 
pulleys. In the Olympia Mills, requiring 3,400 H. P., all 
the shafting measures 2;>^ inches in diameter, excepting 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 105 

that on those lengths which carry the receiving pulleys, 
the shafting measures 3 inches. 

Efficiency. On large plants the loss between the prime 
mover and the shafting driven by the motors will vary 
from 16 to 18 per cent. In other words, 82 to 84 per 
cent, of the power delivered by the engine or wheel will 
be delivered by the motors. Great claims are advanced 
for the mechanical system on this point. It is impracti- 
cable, however, to accurately measure the losses where 
that system is used, for the reason that you cannot deter- 
mine the friction of the shafting while carrying its load of 
machinery under full production. The power lost by slip- 
ping of belts and by increased pressure on bearings cannot 
be ascertained; except approximately. 

Improved light and ventilation are obtained by removing 
the power house away from mill^ and by ornission 0/ the 
belt tower. 

Power iji any section may be augmented^ or addition 
may be made to the mill without stopping the mill or iiiter- 
fering with the existing shafting. It not infrequently 
happens, especially in older mills, that it becomes neces- 
sary to replace the main engihe. It is either worn out or 
machinery has been added to such an extent that it is 
overloaded. On mechanically driven mills it will in such 
cases be necessary to shut down the mill. This will result 
in the loss of profits and of fixed charges during the shut- 
down, and, what is quite as important, the scattering of 
the employees. With the elecric drive no stoppage would 
occur as long as the old engine could be operated. A new 
engine and generator would be installed at any convenient 
point, and either supplement the old engine or take its 
place entirely and also carry any additional work that may 
be desired. 

The power required to operate any section may be read- 
ily measured. In the Olympia Mills and in the Lancaster 
Mills this will be continuously indicated by instruments 



Io6 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

placed in the engine room. These indicators enable the 
engineer in charge to detect at a glance any unnecessary 
consumption of power due to poor alignment of shafting, 
improper oiling, etc. The actual power consumed by any 
machine can be measured at any time by separate portable 
instruments. 

The generating plant may be also subdivided into two or 
more units. This insures against a complete shut-down in 
case of accident and also permits economical operation 
under partial loads. This also allows one or more sections 
of the mill chosen at will to be operated from either gen- 
erating unit. All other sections will remain idle. This 
is not possible with the mechanical system, even though 
the generating plant may be subdivided. 

Cojicentration of mannfactiiring buildings. As the loca- 
tion of these buildings is determined without reference to 
the location of the power house, they may be placed to- 
gether and so arranged as to facilitate manufacture and 
reduce the expense of supervision, 

NEW COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 

Convention called to order at ii A. M. May nth by 
President J. H. McAden, who states, first in order of busi- 
ness is election of new members. 

Pres. McAden reads a telegram from New Orleans Pro- 
gressive Union: "To D. A. Tompkins, Southern Cotton 
Spinners' Association: We present our good wishes and 
hope you will select New Orleans for next Convention of 
the Southern Cotton Spinners' Association. Signed: A. R. 
Blakely, Pres., New Orleans Progressive Union." 

R. B. Miller moves that we extend thanks for this and 
refer the matter to the Board of Governors. Seconded — R. 
S. Reinhardt. Adopted. 

Pres. McAden — Before we enter upon the regular line of 
business [ wish to state that the Board of Governors are 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. lOf 

now arranging the schedule of prices and same will be 
ready for the Convention about 6 o'clock. 

R. B. Miller — Mr. President, I wish to present the name 
of Col. J. T. Anthony as an honorary member of this Asso- 
ciation. You are all familiar with the fact that Col. 
Anthony is heart and head in sympathy with this work, 
and he was our honored first President and contributed 
much of his time and energy to this work to make this 
Association the power that it is to-day. By virtue of the 
fact that he is no longer interested directly in manufac- 
turing, hence he is not eligible for membership in this 
Association, but as a past officer, and as one who is deeply 
interested in this movement, I think he should be elected 
as honorary member of this Association and therefore I 
present his name to be put upon the roll as an honorary 
member of this Association. Seconded — A. C. Miller. 
Adopted. 

Secretary Hiss — A special train has been provided by the 
Seaboard Air Line to take the members of this Association 
and their friends to Lincolnton, N. C, to visit the Daniel 
Manufacturing Co. This is open to members of the Asso- 
ciation and their friends. The train will leave the Sea- 
board Air Line depot at 3 o'clock and return at 6 o'clock. 
Secretary also read letters from Manufacturers and North 
State Clubs extending courtesies to members and friends. 

R. B. Miller moves that thanks be returned for all favors 
extended the Convention. Seconded — R. S. Reinhardf 
Adopted. 

Pres. McAden — Gentlemen, it affords me very great 
pleasure to introduce to you one of the very first men of 
this Association, Mr. D. A. Tompkins, of Charlotte, N. C* 



Io8 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION, 

Mr. Tompkins addressed the convention. Subject: "The 
Unification and Enlargement of American Interests." 

Address of Mr. D. A. Tompkins. 

The American Union, as founded by Hancock, Washing- 
ton, Jefferson and other patriots, was for all practical pur- 
poses a homogeneous nation of common interests. Up to 
the time of the war for independence, slavery and other 
domestic institutions had been distributed over the whole 
territory, New England having in the early days of the 
provinces led in promoting the establishment and mainten- 
ance of the institution. I have had occasion before to point 
out that slavery flourished more than lOO years in New 
England before it was tolerated by law upon the soil of 
Georgia. On the other hand, in the early days of the 
Republic, the South was the manufacturing end of the 
New Nation. I have also had frequent occasion to point 
out that as late as 1810 the manufactured products of Vir- 
ginia, the Carolinas and Georgia exceeded in quantity, 
value and variety those of all the New England States. In 
those early days the strongest advocates of the principle of 
protection to American Manufactures were amongst the 
Southern Statesmen, Mr. George Washington being one of 
these. Even Mr. John C. Calhoun himself, in the early 
part of his career, was also a protectionist. 

With the development of the production of cotton, the 
slave became much more valuable to the Southern cotton 
planter than to the New England farmer. Cotton planting 
with slave labor became more profitable and pleasant in the 
South than manufacturing. As a result, the slaves of the 
North were sold South, and the manufacturing interests 
of the South moved North. The principle of protection 
went with the manufacturers, while that of free trade 
gained adherents amongst the cotton planters. 

Diverging interests brought on the Civil War. This 
war destroyed the institution of slavery. The passions 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 109 

thus eng-endered led the victors to undertake the impossible 
experiment of legislating the Negro to be the equal of the 
white man. The experiment was forced with an intoler- 
ance that brooked no argument, with an impatience that 
forbade delay, with an energy that gave opportunity to 
unprincipled adventurers. North and South, to become 
vampires upon the people of the South, white and black. 

It is to the eternal credit of the white people of the South 
that they stood for a period of 30 years against this wave 
of semi-anarchy and saved Anglo-Saxon civilization in Vir- 
ginia and the cotton growing States from the fate which 
has befallen the once proud Spanish civilization in Cuba, 
South x\merica and the Philippines. 

In the period of about 30 years succeeding the Civil War, 
all questions of politics, of developing manufactures, of 
protection or free trade, of currency, and all other questions, 
save only the one of " White Rule," were held in total 
abeyance. Nothing was of the slightest importance but 
the so-called " race problem." There was no question as 
to refinement of government, but simply the one question 
of government at all. The race problem is one that is no 
longer confined to the South as a problem of " white rule," 
but has become national, under the name of "Anglo-Saxon 
Supremacy." 

To-day, for the first time in a hundred years ,the institu- 
tions and interests of the American people are identical 
and common. Slavery is abolished by law, and wiped out 
in fact. Manufactures have again extended over the 
South. A condition is reached in which the interests of 
Connecticut and North Carolina are identical. It is hard 
to realize this, but it is nevertheless true. 

In this new situation it behooves us all to study the 
problems that confront us, and learn in what direction our 
common interests lie. This done, we may all co-operate 
to bring about such results as we may determine to be for 
the advantage of our Agriculture, Manufactures, and Com- 



1 lO TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBIvICATlON. 

merce. The means that appear to me most essential for the 
advancement of these interests are : 

1. Education, 

2. Transportation. 

3. Markets. 

4. Banking. 

I will discuss these briefly in the order named. 

Education. 

There is a certain degree of education that comes to all 
people by virtue of being brought up in a civilized com- 
munity. With such a very limited general education, 
acquired chiefly by contact, our people aie able to spin and 
weave cotton into the simplest and plainest fabrics. These 
fabrics are used for the commonest purposes at home, and 
to sell abroad for similar use in semi-civilized countries, or 
to semi-civilized people who cannot even do with reasonable 
economy the simplest operations of spinning and weaving. 

I have often shown to what extent we may increase the 
value of raw cotton by means of the simplest forms of its 
manufacture into cloth. I wish now to undertake to show 
liow, with fuller knowledge and better skill, we may still 
further increase the value. 

Estimating the crop of North Carolina at 500,000 bales, 
this as raw cotton, at 6 cents, would yield $15,000,000; as 
plain white cloth, at 18 cents, it would yield $45, 000,000; 
as checks and plaids, at 24 cents, it would yield $60,000,- 
000. 

The people of the State are, as a matter of fact, now 
utilizing 300,000 bales, and making a product which Mr. 
Wm. Entwistle, of Rockingham, says will average 20 cents 
a pound. This would yield $50,000,000 for three-fifths of 
the crop. 

But these values are by no means the limit of what may 
be brought to the raw cotton with increased knowledge and 
skill. 



TWENTIKTH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 1 I 

This same cotton turned into a fancy gingham or good 
quality of outing cloth would bring 36 cents a pound and 
would yield $90,000,000. If made into a fine dress ging- 
ham like Toile de Nord, made by my friend Mr. A. H. 
Lowe, a<- Fitchburg, Mass., it would bring 60 cents a pound, 
which would yield $[50,000,000. 

Takine now some French mull or some mercerized cot- 
ton stuffs, we find these bringing in the market $1.20 a 
pound, which would yield $300,000,000. 

Turned into this shape, it is seen that the cotton crop of 
North Carolina would bring as much money as the entire 
crop of the South now brings when sold as cotton. These 
cloths are not so very fine, and it would require but a little 
step forward in education for our people to become qualified 
to make them. 

But this is by no means the limit. Take some French 
nainsook, we find some of it selling in the stores at $6.00 a 
pound. If manufactured into this stuff, the value of the 
North Carolina crop would go the amazing sum of $1,500,- 
000,000. And yet, even this is by no means the limit. 
Swiss embroidery, the value of which goes to $24.00 a 
pound, would make the North Carolina crop yield $6,000,- 
000,000, a sum that is inconceivable beside the paltry 
$15,000,000 which is the value of our raw cotton. 

This exhibit and the resulting figures could even be car- 
ried farther, but what's the use? It has long since become 
plain to me that any State in New England or the South 
could well afford to issue a half million dollars in bonds to 
be expended in textile education, with absolute certainty 
that inside of ten years every dollar's worth of raw cotton 
could be made worth twenty dollars. Look at the tonnage 
of France's export. It is one of the richest countries in the 
world, and yet her export tonnage is very small. Her 
principal exports are composed of a very small proportion 
of raw material and a large proportion of knowledge and 
skill. The Frenchman has not the endurance or staying 



112 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

quality of the Anglo-Saxon, but if he were not quicker 
and better educated for work, he would starve to death. 

Transportation. 

It would be useless to make goods without the means 
for their economic distribution. The Scientific American 
has lately published some comparative statistics showing 
that by means of railroads, the United States handles annu- 
ally more than 900,000,000 tons of freight. Great Britain 
handles about half as much ; Germany about one-quarter, 
France about one-eighth and Russia about one-tenth. Our 
domestic market is then the best market in the world. 
This condition is largely the result of our transportation 
facilities. We have more railroad mileage than that of all 
the rest of the world put together. We handle about as 
much freight as England, Germany, France and Russia 
all together. 

How did we get this system of railroads? I answer by 
means of subsidies. The national government itself has 
extended vital aid in the construction of our transconti- 
nental lines of railway. Amongst the States, cities, towns, 
counties, and even townships, those would be rare indeed 
that have not contributed aid to one or more railroads, 
either by voting bonds to be exchanged for stock, or by 
guaranteeing railroad bonds. There has been land grants ; 
■ grants to railroads for the use of whole streets. And in 
every other way possible to imagine, subsidies have been 
given, and freely given, to railroads. It has been argued 
in opposition, in many instances, that the stock for the 
proposed issue of bonds would be worthless. The good 
citizen has invariably answered : " Well, if we get the rail- 
road, I'm willing to lose the stock if necessary." I doubt 
if a State, city or county could be found that would be 
willing to take back its lost money — its subsidy money — 
and give up the railroads which this money helped to build. 

If a good line of railway was proposed to-day which could 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. II 3, 

be brought to any county seat in the United States for 
$25,000, or failing in this subsidy, would pass six miles 
outside the town, the people would with absolute certainty 
raise the mone}. 

Both the South and West are particularly enterprising 
in this matter of domestic transportation facilities. All 
sections of the United States are urgently in need of foreign 
markets. Yet lavish as our people have been in expendi- 
tures for domestic transportation facilities, if the subject of 
a little aid is mentioned for a steamship line to facilitate 
the exportation of cloth made in American mills, or cotton 
made in Texas, or flour from wheat made in Dakota, the 
North Carolinian, the Texan and the Dakotan immediately 
takes a fit. Republicans and Democrats alike forget the 
interests of the people, and consider it necessary to sacrifice 
all else to what they conceive to be party loyalty. Can it 
be party loyalty to wage a war of politics in the pursuit of 
office and regardless of the welfare of all the people ? 

We have now reached the condition where we make more 
manufactured products than our home markets will take. 
England and Germany are willing enough to send here 
their subsidised ships to take away our raw cotton, but not 
our cotton cloth ; to bring us pig iron, but not to take pig 
iron away ; to bring steel rails and band iron, but not to 
take articles of our make to their customers. We must 
find the ultimate markets for these products ourselves, and 
we must establish ship lines to reach them. I am in favor 
of whatever expenditure is necessary to create and main- 
tain as good transportation facilities on the seas as we have 
on land. We have the best in the world on land, and the 
best home markets as a consequence. What we have on 
the seas is hardly worth mentioning and our foreign trade 
is proportionately small. 

Of 64,000,000 dollars worth of cotton goods going into 
China, a few years ago, the United States put there 6,000,- 
000 dollars worth only. 



114 twentie;th century pubi.ication. 

I favor an Ishmian ship canal to be built and owned by 
our general government. I should by preference rather 
see it controlled by treaties with other nations in a way to 
keep it freed from the vicissitudes of war. The Hay-Paun- 
ceforte treaty seems to me to be all right. 

I favor a cable across the Pacific to be laid by the general 
government, and to be owned and operated by the govern- 
ment. 

These are facilities that are essential to our manufactur- 
ino- growth. We can no more handle export trade without 
transportation facilities than we can prosper at home with- 
out them, and everybody knows that a town without a 
railroad is dead till it gets one. 

Markets. 

For raw cotton at 6 cents a pound, England, France and 
Germany are as good markets as we could desire. When 
we needed pig iron and cotton ties, they were delighted to 
send these here in exchange for our cotton, using their 
ships for all the transportation. 

But if we prosper, we must turn our cotton into cloth, 
and get 20 cents a pound, instead of 6 cents ; and we have 
done it in the past. We must stop buying pig iron, and 
make all we need, with a surplus for export, and we are 
already doing this. We must seek, develop and protect 
markets for cotton, oil, wheat and flour, lumber and its 
products. What I say about all these, applies equally to 
New England, the North and to the South. 

Indeed in all that I say at all times, I seek for the estab- 
lishment of no policy for sectional advantage. I seek rather 
to find out and exhibit those policies which are for the best 
interests alike of all the people of this country and of the 
countries we would deal with. 

If we co-operate in the development of manufactures and 
the fostering of surrounding conditions, there is no such 
thing as competition between New England and the South. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. II 5 

I believe that the purchase of Louisiana by Jefferson was 
a wise and beneficent action. The foreboding of evil 
which were made as arguments against the action have 
not come true. 

This is now the chief wheat growing area in the United 
States. During the Spanish War, it was from the Louisi- 
ana purchase states that we got our horses and mules. It 
is now one of the wonderful agricultural and stock raising 
areas of the world. I believe that the annexation of Texas 
was equally wise and beneficent, and the forebodings of 
•evil in that case have failed also. 

This annexed territory is as wonderful as the other in 
agriculture and stock raising, — cotton and cattle. In it is 
raised more than one-third the entire cotton crop of the 
United States. 

The acquisitions of Florida from Spain, of the South 
Pacific territory from IMexico, of Alaska from Russia, have 
all been advantageous to us and to the populations that 
came under our control, with or without their own consent, 
and the greater advantage has in each case been to the peo- 
ple of the acquired territory. We have in each case given 
them law and order, and guaranteed for them the security 
of life, liberty and property. We have furnished them 
systems of education, and in infinite ways hastened them 
forward in the path of civilization. 

The policy of our country, since its foundation, has been, 
above that of all other countries, one of expansion. We 
already have Porto Rico and Hawaii. I believe that Cuba 
will come to us in the natural course of events by annexa- 
tion. 

I favor keeping the Philippines. Considering modern 
facilities, the Philippines are more accessible to us now 
than California was when we acquired it. They are as 
-accessible now as Alaska is now, and yet who would pro- 
pose to give up Alaska ? Their value in trade far sur- 



Il6 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

passes that of Alaska, and our opportunity for the extension 
of civilization is greater there than in Alaska. 

The possession of the Philippines is important to us for 
another reason. There are said to be 800,000,000 people 
in the country known as the Orient. Christian civilization 
is beginning to reach these people. Our churches have 
for years kept missionaries amongst them. 

The works of these missionaries are now beginning to 
bring some of the results that their supporters here at home 
have hoped for. Can we now refuse to go ahead with the 
civilizing work that has begun ? We will of necessity 
have increasing duties and interests in China. For the 
advantage of our people at home in their trade with China, 
and for the advancement of the work of our Christian mis- 
sionaries, we should insist upon the preservation of our 
treaty rights with China, and resist the partition of that 
Empire. Our duty and our interests lie together in these 
matters. I believe that Democrats and Republicans alike 
ought to demand of, and support, our government in a vig- 
orous prosecution of all measures looking to the protection 
and extension of our interests in what was once the old far 
Hast, and what is now our new far West. 

Banking. 

In that depressed period commencing with the panic of 
1893 and lasting until the outbreak of the Spanish war, it 
became clear to all men that our banking system was seri- 
ously defective. 

Bank after bank, having ample capital and ample surplus 
assets, closed doors and were announced as having failed. 
All because of inability to utilize good assets as a basis 
upon which to get currency. Cash deposits in banks could 
not in many cases be drawn out by check, because of the 
scarcity of currency. It was made manifest that the seri- 
ous defect of the banking system was was one of inelasticity^ 
If some means had not been devised for the temporary^ 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBUCATION. II7 

introduction of an elastic feature by which currency could 
be raised on good assets, every bank in the country in 
active commercial business would have been compelled to 
suspend payments. This temporary device was the issue 
of clearing house certificates. These were in reality bank 
notes issued on the joint account of a number of associated 
banks upon selected assets deposited to secure them. The 
pressing necessity and the perfect safety of this temporary 
currency saved any questions as to its legality. Through- 
out this time we had the gold standard in operation, and 
the trouble was one that had no reference to standards. 
Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures suffered alike 
from this inelastic feature in our banking system. 

The system had other faults, the most serious of which 
was the redemption in gold, and reissue of the legal tender 
notes by the government, to be redeemed and reissued 
again and again. This latter fault, and some other minor 
ones, have been corrected in the passage of the new bank- 
ing law by the present Congress. But the most serious 
deficiency, inelasticity, has not been removed. Under the 
present law, the quantity of currency is fixed, and in event 
of a panic, the currency would disappear again as it did 
before, and we would then have the same hard squeeze that 
we had before. 

That feature of elasticity which was effected in a crude 
way, and in a way of doubtful legality, should be conserva- 
tively and properly incorporated in our banking system, 
and in a way to serve the national banks in every section 
alike. This would mean the total abandonment of United 
States bonds as a basis of note issue, and the substitution 
of the sound assets of the banks as the basis. These notes 
issued on assets should be taxed about i per cent, by the 
government, in return for which tax the government should 
guarantee the notes. Each bank should be responsible for 
the redemption of its notes in gold over its own counters, 
and in some commercial centre. The government guaran- 



Il8 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

tee would make all notes of uniform value, and the i per 
cent, charge would far more than cover any possible losses. 
The statistics on the subject show that, with proper inspec- 
tion, as nzv; ] -acticed by the government, one-fifth of i 
per cent, tax would far more than cover the losses. At i 
per cent, the government would have no risk, but would 
get a large income. 

The banking system of Canada is one allowing the issue 
of notes on assets. The Canadian banks are required to 
keep a guarantee fund of $5,000,000 deposited with the 
government to secure notes. When this is deposited, the 
banks are taxed to make it good. Canada is notably free 
from the periodic financial squeezes that we have, and when 
one of these flurries occurs with us, our American deposits 
go in large sums to Canadian banks for safety. Scotland 
has a similar feature in her banking system. Her pros- 
perity and her independence of London as a money centre 
is conspicuous and notable. The bank of France has the 
same feature. 

While the bank of England has no such feature, yet it at 
times practically uses for re-discount the bank of France, 
which has that feature. It did this in the panic brought 
about by the failure of the Barings. 

The greatest danger to our manufacturing interests lie in 
the inelastic feature or our banking system. While in the 
good times we have lately enjoyed, this deficiency gives us 
no trouble, it will do so whenever there is an industrial 
depression, and it will emphasize the depression. 

Conclusion. 

These conditions as to education, transportation, market 
and banking are as important in one part of our country 
as another. They are as important in Texas as in Maine, 
as important in Wisconsin as in North Carolina. Happily 
also, it has come to pass that the requirements of each sec- 
tion are identical. The future of spinning and weaving 



TWENTIETH CENTUEY PUBLICATION. II9 

lies rather in creating the conditions necessary to develop 
and foster export trade, than in controversy between New 
England and the South over a limited domestic trade. We 
should get together and work together to bring about the 
conditions favorable to the prosperity of the whole country, 
and if we do this, I am confident there will be plenty of 
business and to spare to insure plenty of work for all Amer- 
ican factories, and ample occupation for American people 
at fair wages. 



A. C. Miller offers the following resolutions : 
" Asiatic Commercial Commission." 

" Resolved, That in view of the growing material inter- 
ests which the South has in the extension of trade with China 
and Japan, where the sale of American manufactured and 
raw cotton has grown in ten years from Two Million Dol- 
lars to Twenty-two Million Dollars, the Southern Cotton 
Spinners' Association earnestly recommend the passage at 
this session of the bill before Congress providing for the 
appointment of a commission to investigate and report 
upon the commercial, industrial and economic conditions 
of China, Japan, and other Eastern Asiatic countries, for 
the purpose of further development of American trade in 
those lands." 

Seconded — D. A. Tompkins. Adopted. 

D. A. Tompkins offers the following resolution : 

'' Resolved, That the Southern Cotton Spinners' Associ- 
ation recommend to Congress the enacting of legislation 
carrying such compensations as will stimulate the develop- 
ment of American shipping interests under the American 
flag to an extent necessary to handle American commerce 
on the high seas in time of peace, and which will provide 
at the same time such transports and auxiliary service as 
may be needed in time of war." 

Seconded — J. P. Wilson. Adopted. 



I20 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

D. A. Tompkins offers the following resolution : 

" Whereas, It appears that one of the principal difficul- 
ties lying in the way of the construction of the Nicaraguan 
Canal seems to be due no doubt as to whether the Canal 
should be fortified or not, it becomes desirable for those 
business interests, for the service of which the Canal is pro- 
posed, to formulate some expression on this subject for the 
information of our legislators. Therefore, be it 

"Resolved, First, That this Association hereby expresses 
itself in favor of the construction of the Canal under the 
provisions of the Hay-Paunceforte treaties and subject to such 
other treaties as may be desirable to secure the neutrality 
of the Canal in time of war and to free it as a commercial 
facility from all vicissitudes of war, but that our govern- 
ment shall be sole owner and reserve the right to fortify 
the Canal in event of any violation of those neutralizing 
treaties. 

" Second, We approve the action of the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the passage of the Nicaraguan Canal Bill and 
recommend speedy action on the part of the Senate." 

Seconded — R. B. Miller. Adopted. 

Address by Mr. Arnold B. Sanford, President and Mana- 
ger of the American Cotton Yarn Exchange, Boston, Mass. 
Subject : " Fine Cotton Manufacturing in the South." 

Address of Mr. Arnold B. Sanford. 

In discussing this important and very interesting topic, I 
shall confine myself to the spinning of Fine Yarns, and the 
long Staple Cottons used in their productions, the "Allen 
Seed," "Sea Islands," and "Egyptians." It is my desire to 
treat this subject without any prejudices whatever ; to deal 
fairly and justly with the conditions as they exist both in our 
New England and Southern States, and as they appear after 
twenty years of experience in close touch with the great 
Cotton industry. North and South. Now, in order to make 
the discussion practical and lively, we will commence by 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 121 

propounding the following questions, and seeking a true 
solution to the same later on : 

First. What Are Fine Cotton Yarns, and What 
Is Necessary for Their Successful Production ? 

Second. Are the Southern Manufacturers Pre- 
pared TO Produce Them Successfully and Compete 
Against New England Mills? 

Third. Can They Make as Much Money on Fine 
Yarns as They Can on the Coarse and Medium 
Numbers? 

Before taking up the questions, I wish to make a few 
remarks on the cotton industry. 

The establishing of any great Textile industry, like cot- 
ton, wool, linen and silk in any country is a very slow pro- 
cess, and usually takes generations to plant firmly and suc- 
cessfully. Why ? Because first we must learn to handle it 
so as to produce goods of the best qualities, with the largest 
productions, and at the lowest possible cost. This can only 
be accomplished by skilled labor, capital and experienced 
management to bring success. This takes years to bring 
around. The silk industry of Lyons, France, still leads 
the world in the production of the finest goods, and it was 
commenced in the fifteenth century. The woolen industry : 
We turn at once to Leeds, England, for the finest goods and 
colors ; she leads the world, and it was commenced there 
in the sixteenth century. 

The cotton industry : Great Britain, with her 46,000,000 
spindles, leads the world in the great race, and Oldham, 
Bolton and Manchester are made famous for their fine cot- 
ton goods and yarns. The manufacture of cottons com- 
menced ill Manchester in the fifteenth century, and in the 
year of 1552 an act was passed for the better manufacture 
of Manchester cottons, which became famous in the year 
1650. 

The New England States, though engaged for a century 
in the business, seems quite young compared with old Eng- 



122 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 



land, yet she has made her Lowell, Fall River, New Bed- 
ford and Lawrence famous for her cotton manufacture. 

In this connection the following figures will be of inter- 
est, showing the growth of the industry for England and 
United States : 

The total Spindles of Great Britain, estimated Jan. i, 1900, 46,000,000 

" " United States, " " " 21,000,000 

" " New England States, " " " 13,955,000 

" " Southern States, including year 1900.. . 5,250,000 

FOR NEW ENGLAND STATES. 

1840 Number of Spindles 1,597,400 

" 1,800,000 

3,859,000 

5-498,300 

8,632,100 

" 10,836,200 



1850 
i860 
1870 
1880 
1890 
August 1899 



13-955.000 



Representing say $280,000,000.00 of capital, this mag- 
nificent result speaks volumes for the thrift and energy of 
our New England manufacturers and operatives, which 
means so much for the prosperity of the New England 

States. 

FOR SOUTHERN STATES. 
1840 Number of Spindles 
1850 



For 



i860 
1870 
1880 
2890 
1900 



180,900 

230,000 

298,600 

327,900 

1,554,000 

3,670,290 

5,250,000 



estimated 

For the fifteen months ending March 31, 1900, projected 
2,000,000 spindles, a tremendous growth, and the South will 
have for the end of the year 1900 $125,000,000 invested in 
the cotton industry — a most magnificent showing for our 
Southern manufacturers and operatives. This remarkable 
result is a splendid tribute to the energy and enterprise of 
the Southern people, and challenges the admiration of the 
the business world, and some are saying, Soiithzvard the 
course [not of Empire] but of the cotton industry takes its 
zvay. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 23 

Let US now take up our questions. 

First. What are Fine Yarns ^ and zvJiat is necessary 
for their successful manufacture ? 

Fine Yarns in the trade to-day means numbers 8o's to 
140's, inclusive, and to make this clear to you, note the 
production per spindle on No. 8o's Yarn running sixty 
hours per week, which produces only '^ of a pound per 
spindle, and for No. lOo's only 1-5 of a pound per 
spindle per week. There are several necessary factors 
required to produce high grade fine yarns. It is absolutely 
necessary to have the very best skilled operatives that can 
be secured. 

The manager should have long practical experience, and 
be well acquainted direct with the consumer, so as to be 
able to meet his wants. He requires expert knowledge of 
the long staple cottons used such as: 

Allen Seed, i38 to lyi inches long. 
Sea Island, i ^ to 2 " " 

Egyptians, \%i to i Z^^ " " 

Very careful selections must be made so as to secure 
proper fineness of fibre and uniform lengths of staples "as 
so much depends upon this." These cottons are very 
expensive, and the manufacturer should understand this 
part of the business well, so as to know just what lengths 
of staples and grades are required for the various kinds of 
yarns to be made ; if he does, he can save considerable 
money over one who does not. 

Great care and economy must be exercised in all the 
various processes of picking, carding, combing, drawing, 
rovings, spinning, tv\isting, reelings, sizing, etc., in order 
to produce high grade yarns, and eternal vigilance must be 
constantly exercised. The Southern manufacturer will find 
making No. 8o's to lOo's yarns altogether different business 
than the making of No. 30's and 40's. 

Secondly. Are the Southern manufacturers prepared 



124 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

to produce them successfully and cojupete against Neiv 
England 7ml Is ? 

My answer to this very important question would be, 
*'To-day they are not," and this conclusion has been most 
carefully arrived at by a close study of the conditions sur- 
rounding the industry in the South, and from personal 
observations. Some of my reasons are as follows : 

The successful production of fine yarns on a large com- 
mercial scale and with profit, requires experience and most 
favorable conditions for labor and economical management. 

The South, up to the year 1880, made yarns. No. 30's 
and below, and did not take up No. 40's until about the 
year 1885, and to-day has only about 100,000 spindles on 
No. 40's to No. 50's yarns, and only one mill of 5,000 
spindles on No. 8o's to loo's, recently started. 

New England waited about fifty years, until the year 
1880, before her manufacturers thought their conditions 
would warrant undertaking the fine goods and fine spinning. 

Now, from what I have observed in my travels South, 
there is not one location in a hundred that I have seen that 
has the right conditions to prosecute the spinning success- 
fully of No. 8o's to No. 140's, and, in my opinion, the con- 
servative manufacturers themselves do not think the condi- 
tions warrant it. 

Of course I must admit our Southern manufacturers have 
proved remarkably apt scholars, and in course of time will 
aspire for the fine goods and yarns — and build some mills — 
but they will feel their way cautiously and will wait sev- 
eral years longer before attempting it on a large scale. 

But we do not see how they can in the nature of things 
compete successfully with the old established mills of New 
England. Of course I am willing to admit that their advan- 
tages of longer hours and cheaper labor count much in 
their favor, but until that labor is educated up to the 
highest standard of skilled labor they cannot very well 
compete against New England. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 25 

I have been quite freely quoted as being the pioneer in 
building mills for spinning fine yarns in the South. 
Now, that depends altogether on what are called fine num- 
bers by Southern manufacturers ; but I am willing, how- 
ever, to admit that I have built the first mills for spinning 
HIGH GRADE COMBED YARNS for medium numbers, 20's to 
70's, and feel confident they will prove a profitable invest- 
ment, and prefer to take my chances on them for the next 
ten years and leave the field on the finer Nos. 80'sto 140's, 
for the other fellows. 

Thirdly. Can they make as much money on fine yarns 
as on coarse and medium numbers ? 

My answer to this question is : From most careful obser- 
vations, they cannot make as much money spinning fine 
yarns as they can coarse and medium yarns. Why ? Because 
their disadvantages will overbalance their advantages. On 
the latter they can only claim longer hours and cheaper labor, 
while their disadvantages will be lack of skilled operatives, 
lack of economy in general management necessary for fine 
manufacturing, and also lack of intimate expei'tence direct 
with the consumers. 

The Southern States are naturally adapted to the coarse 
and medium yarns and goods, say from No. 8's to No. 6o's. 
These do not require the skill, experience and economy to 
produce them as do goods and yarns of from No. 8o's to 
No. 140's. 

They also gain on this class of goods on cotton over their 
Northern competitors, as they can use staple growing close 
to their mill doors, and thus save freights. While, on the 
other hand, it will cost them as much for long staple cotton 
as our Northern Mills, and for Egyptains fully one half cent 
per pound more. My advice is for the Southern manufac- 
turers to stick close to the coarse and medium counts, which 
they can make with more profit than they can fine. 
The South has a splendid future before her in this field 



126 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

and for the next ten to fifteen years should increase on 
goods and yarns from No. 40's to 6o's. 

But there is a very serious problem facing the Southern 
and New England manufacturers, especially the Southern. 
What are they going to do with the 2,000,000 spindles 
which are to be added for the year 1900. This product 
must find a market somewhere. "Where?" It is stated 
by experts in the cotton industry, zve can noiv produce i)i 
nine months all zve can consume in tzvelve zvith our '-'Home 
Market,^' and some predict inside of one year we shall be 
over-producing again. 

Now, gentlemen of the Southern Cotton Spinners' Asso- 
ciation, your Association and the New England Cotton 
Manufacturers should strike hands at once, and immediately 
arrange to seek export trade. Sell part of your products 
to the foreign trade ; seek an outlet for at least 25 percent, 
of your goods, for the home market cannot take care of these 
2,000,000 additional spindles, and now is the time for bold 
and aggressive action. The American Cotton Manufac- 
turers should not ignore any longer the foreign trade, but 
lay plans for securing markets for their surplus products. 
Don't delay it any longer than possible, and in order to 
keep the great cotton industry of the United States in a 
healthy and prosperous condition our manufacturers should 
not depend entirely upon the home markets, for if, as has 
been stated, the cotton mills of this country can produce in 
nine months all the consumers here can use in tzuelve 
months^ and the South is now for this year, 1900, to increase 
her output fully T^y/^ per cent, it certainly looks as though 
in the near future, we shall be over-producing again. Yon 
all knozu zvhat that means^ zvhen you have to urge the buyer 
Jbr orders. 

This can be avoided only in one way ; sell your surplus 
products to the Foreign trade^ and thereby prevent a glut 
of your home markets. 

The New England and Southern manufacturers have ar- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 27 

rived at the stage where they should be willing to freely con- 
sult each other's interest upon broad lines for their mutual 
protection. They can provide the ways and means, and so 
regulate the production of their mills that both sections 
can do a profitable business. 

I hope before this Association adjourns you will pass reso- 
lutions for the necessary steps to be taken for the American 
Cotton Manufacturers to create a Foreign Market for a part 
of the product of their Spindles and Looms. 

OBJECT LESSONS FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS. 
World's Export Trade Cotton Goods and Yarns for 1899, 1500,658,000 00 

Great Britain's (lion's share) 66 per cent 328,325,000.00 

United States (our share only) 5 per cent 23,566,000.00 

Great Britain exported of Yarns and Threads value for 
the year 1899, $57,187,000. 



Address by Mr. Leonard Paulson, of Buckingham & 
Paulson, Yarn Commission Merchants, New York City. 

Address of Mr. Leonard Paulson. 

Mr. President and Geiitlenieti of the Southern Cotton Spin- 
ners'' Association. 

In addressing you, I cannot refrain from congratulating 
you upon the changed conditions under which this Con- 
vention is held, compared with those prevailing a year ago. 
Then cotton was high, prices of yarn were low, trade dull 
and the outlook by no means inspiring. To-day, if cotton 
is still high, yarns are still bringing profitable prices; bus- 
iness has been and will be good again, and in spite of some 
doubting "Thomases" the outlook is decidedly encouraging. 
Towards this improvement, your Association has un- 
questionably contributed largely. It has consolidated the 
spinning interests of the South, has removed causes of 
friction which have existed in the marketing processes, 
making pleasanter and therefore more advantageous from a 



128 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

business point of view, the relationship of the Spinner, the 
Selling Agent and the Consumer. And in addressing you 
upon "The Sale of Cotton Yarns" I cannot do better than 
consider these three interests in the order I have named them. 

First. The duty of the manufacturer is simple; it is 
to deliver merchantable yarns, fully up to the requirements 
of the order given to him; also to see that he makes his 
deliveries according to his contract. If he fulfills these 
conditions, his obligation ceases. 

Second. When the Agent gives the Spinner an order 
at a certain price, specifying the quantity and quality he 
has sold and the deliveries that must be made, he has done 
his part, for which he is to receive a commission of say five 
per cent. This commission guarantees the manufacturer 
one hundred cents on the dollar and covers all charges 
(except discount for cash, interest on advance and other 
fixed charges) after the yarns reach their destination. Should 
the customer conclude that he does NOT want any part of 
the yarn and decide to cancel all or part of his contract, the 
Spinner has nothing to do with it; that is a matter entirely 
with the Selling Agent; and if he allows his customer to 
cancel an order, it is at his own cost; and he has no right 
to ask the manufacturer to bear any part of the burden. It 
has already been decided, that when a commission merchant 
places an order with the manufacturer, the commission mer- 
chant receiving a commission for guaranteeing one hundred 
cents on the dollar, that the manufacturer's obligation ceases 
after he has made his delivery according to contract. He 
does not know the customer, and probably doesn't want to. 

I understand, that some claim, when a customer cancels 
an order, the spinner is responsible, claiming that the com- 
mission merchant is acting as agent only. In these enlight- 
ened days that doesn't go, provided the spinner has kept 
his part of the contract; also providing the agent is receiving 
a commission for guaranteeing the account. Of course, if 
the agent is working on a brokerage of one per cent, or two 



'rWElNTlETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 29 

per cent, and does NOT guarantee, then the spinner has to 
stand the cancellation; also take the risk of the buyer pay- 
ing his account in full. But as business is done now, and\ 
as I understand it and as we do our business, five per cent, 
commission guarantees everything after the yarn reaches • 
us. We guarantee one hundred cents on the dollar also that- 
our customers will stand by their contracts; and to do this^. 
all we ask of the manufacturer is, that he keeps his part of 
the contract to the letter. All selling agents should do the 
same. If they do not do it, it is your place to compel them 
to do so. It takes two to make a contract; it takes two to 
cancel it. 

It doesn't require a map to explain what a guarantee 
means. As an illustration: Suppose an agent should sell 
for you one hundred thousand pounds of yarn at twenty 
cents per pound; after he had delivered fifty thousand pounds 
his customer should fail, leaving fifty thousand pounds of 
yarn on hand or due him. In the meantime, undoubtedly, 
you had secured cotton to produce this one hundred thou- 
sand pounds of yarn, and the price of yarns had declined 
say five cents per pound. Suppose the customer makes a 
compromise with his creditors, we will say for fifty cents 
on the dollar. The selling agent certainly would not look 
to you to stand this loss, as he has guaranteed it. Now, 
would it be fair for him to ask you to take the risk of the 
market on the other fifty thousand pounds ? If he guaranteed 
part of the contract, he certainly guaranteed it all; and if 
he asks you to accept fifteen cents per pound for the fifty 
thousand pounds of yarn that he sold for you at twenty 
cents, he has just as much right to ask you to accept fifty 
cents on the dollar for the fifty thousand pounds which he 
has delivered to his customer. There is only one kind of a 
guarantee, and that is to guarantee one hundred cents on 
the dollar on the entire contract. He guarantees all or 
nothing. "What is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the 
gander." 



130 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBIvICATION. 

Please do not understand me to say, that there cannot 
be any cancellations, for there are times when you must 
accept them from your agents. If you do not make your 
deliveries on time as agreed, and also keep the quality of 
your yarn fully up to the requirements, the customer has a 
perfect right to cancel his contract; and you must accept the 
cancellation from your Selling x^gent. 

At this point, I want to explain something that some 
Manufacturers do not appear to understand. That is, the 
three and five per cent. Quite a number have said to me, 
"You Agents get three and five per cent, or eight per cent, 
for selling yarns." 

This is NOT the case. The discount of three per cent, for 
cash in ten days £^oes to the buyer] and is in fact a part of 
the price, leaving the agent only five per cent, for expense 
and guaranteeing, which is little enough. I have been in 
the Yarn business since 1863, and I have never known of a 
single instance of any Agent making enough money to 
retire; but I could name quite a number who have failed. 

Time was when the third interests, the Consumers, 
were regarded by the Spinner as ever on the alert to take 
undue advantages. That impression, thanks to your associa- 
tion, is rapidly dying away. You find, that as a class, they 
are honorable business men and stand by their contracts, as 
all must do. If they get the worst of it, they take their 
medicine like men; and if th^y get the best of it^ they ex- 
pect you to take your medicine and look pleasant. They 
will do everying they agree to do, and they expect the same 
treatment from you. Of course they had a hard time when 
you first advanced; but it might have been worse. They 
have been getting a fair advance on their production; and 
if they did not get it, it was their own fault. All of us had 
contracts at low prices which we were compelled to fill. 
They also had contracts at low prices which they were wil- 
ling to fill; and they were also perfectly willing to pay an 
advance for yarns for their requirements, for the reason. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. I3I 

they could get an advance for the product of their Looms. 
There are of course exceptions in every class, and there are 
buyers who will try to lay down on a contract if it goes 
against them; but do not let your Selling Agents tell you 
that theii customers will not take their contracts, and ask 
you to stand the loss. As I have said already, you have 
nothing to do with their customers; the responsibility is 
with your Agents. We are willing to stand by this state- 
ment and carry it out. I think we have shown in the past 
that we have done this, and I am willing to stand by every 
word I have said to-day. 

As to the prices of cotton yarns, I am not prepared to 
say what the future will be; but I can tell you this, nearly 
all the Spinners of the South as well as the Spinners of the 
East, have their product sold several months ahead, some 
of you being sold until September. Most of the Weavers 
who consume this yarn are also well sold up; in fact it has 
been impossible in a great many cases for them to deliver 
five or ten packages of their fabrics at any price, for prompt 
delivery. If they (old you they could not afford to pay the 
prevailing prices for yarns, because they could not obtain 
a corresponding advance on the product of their Looms, as 
they were in about the same position as you, unable to fill 
any orders for prompt delivery, if they sold their production 
at a loss it was their own fault. A great many Weavers 
have told me they did tiot want lower prices, as a decline 
in yarns means a decline in their products. The business 
of the country was never so good as it has been for the past 
year. Any line you may take, you will find have been and 
are now behind on their orders. I do not see the reason for 
the break, unless it is caused by Spinners pressing for or- 
ders for future delivery and weak-kneed Selling Agents 
forcing sales. But the break is here and we must meet it. 

There was an article published in the Neiv York Journal 
0/ Coffn/ierce on March 17th, headed "The Future Course 
^of Prices." It was taken from a circular issued from Boston, 



132 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

in which they say "That the Spinner is entitled to a reason- 
able margin profit on his production. Anything beyond 
that, is unhealthy and demoralizing both to the Spinners 
and the Consumers' interests. They said that the prices 
then ruling were simply prohibitive; and the Consumer 
could not pay such values and convert the yam into goods 
and get out whole; and they feared it would curtail the 
consumption of yarns and the Spinners would want orders."^ 
I big to disagree with the writer of that article; and claim 
that the values of yarns at that time were not prohibitive; 
and I also claim, as I have stated before, that the Consumer 
could get a sufficient price for his production to warrant 
him in paying the prevailing prices of yarns, for the reason 
that he was sold ahead, and on future orders he was not com- 
pelled to accept, unless he could get a profit on the cost of 
production. Articles of this kind, do not help sustain the 
market. If it were true that the advance in the prices of 
Cotton yarns was unhealthy and demoralizing, then what 
about Steel Rails which advanced from Fifteen dollars to 
Thirty-three Dollars per ton, an advance of one Hundred 
and Twenty per cent? What about Nails, which have ad- 
vanced from One Dollar and eighty cents to Four dollars 
and twenty cents per hundred pounds, an advance of One 
hundred and thirty-three per cent? And what about Cop- 
per, which advanced from Twelve to Eighteen and a half 
cents per pound, an advance of Fifty-four per cent? What 
about Four-yard sheetings^ which advanced from Three and 
a quarter to Five and three-eights cents per yard, an advance 
of Sixty-five per cent; and what about Print Cloths, which 
advanced from One and three-quarter cents to three and a 
half cents per yard, an advance of One hundred per cent ? 
The cost of producing all these, has NOT advanced more 
than the advance in the cost of producing Cotton Yarns. 
In fact, nearly all manufactured goods advanced from 
twenty-five to one hundred and thirty-three per cent It 
appears, for all these products the advance is sound and 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI.ICATION. 133 

healthy; then pray why is the advance on Gotten yarns 
ii7iJiealthy and demoralizing / I must confess, I do not know- 

The cost of producing yarns has increased very much in 
the last year; the loss in waste is much greater; the cost of 
all supplies has advanced; labor is also higher, and no one 
can produce yarns at the same cost as they did in May last. 
The question of the price of cotton or cost of producing does 
not enter into the price of yarns; supply and demand cover 
it all. If a consumer can buy yarn at ten per cent, less 
than cost of production he will not pay any more. While 
I do not favor killing the "goose that lays the golden Qgg^''"' 
which is the man who buys the product of your spindles, I 
think it only fair to get the best price we can for your pro- 
duction. It does not make any difference to the consumer 
what price he pays for his yarn, whether it is fifteen cents 
or twenty-five cents per pound, providing his competitor 
cannot buy the same yarn for less. If they all have to pay 
a uniform price for yarn they will get a fair price for their 
product, consequently, all will make a profit and all be 
happy. 

Having noticed the three interests in the home trade, I 
desire to draw your attention to another important question 
coming rapidly to the front in the "Sale of Cotton Yarns" 
and that is, the necessity of looking for foreign markets for 
the near future. The intense activity in Southern Mill 
building and the increasing stream of projected enterprises) 
must make this imperative. What the home market has done 
in the past is no criterion of what it may be able to do in the 
future with such steady and large expanse of production. 

The South is well qualified to compete for foreign yarn 
business. Formerly, a great many of the yarns you are 
now producing, were made by New England Mills only. 
The Southern Mills on these numbers are now turning out 
yarns equal not only to those of New England but of old 
England also, while in coarse yarns the South can beat the 
world. 



I 34 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

There is a large foreign demand for cotton yarns. Last 
year England exported $40,000,000 worth, while our total 
exports of all cotton goods manufactured last j^ear were but 
$19,000,000. We boast of the progress we are making 
with that branch of our export trade, and yet our total is 
not fifty per cent, of England's export of yarns alone. 
There is no reason why that should be so, provided you 
spinners will be as willing to comply with the demands of 
foreign markets in reeling, packing, etc., of yarns, as the 
Cloth Manufacturers are in lengths of Cuts and packing and 
other requirements of their customers. Believe me, this is 
a matter which you cannot afford to neglect; and I cannot 
better close this somewhat crude address, than by advising 
you to apply yourselves earnestly to the cultivation of for- 
eign markets. They are an elastic outlet for surplus pro- 
duction, a safety valve for the home market to support the 
values in it. 

Prof. Geo. T. Winston, of the Agricultural & Mechanical 
College, Raleigh, N. C. makes short address on the "Tex- 
tile Schools and the great need of same." 

R. B. Miller offers following resolutions: 
Resolved: That this Association views with great satis- 
faction the establishment of Textile Schools by the City of 
Philadelphia, States of Massachusetts, South Carolina, Geor- 
gia and Mississippi, and earnestly recommend similar action 
to other States,where the Textile industry exists, or may be 
introduced. The Association considersTextile Schools to be 
essential to the development of the Textile industry and 

therefore a necessity and profitable investment for all states 

engaged in that industry. 

Seconded — D. A. Tompkins. Adopted. 

Mr. Geo. E. Wilson offers the following resolutions : 

Resolved : That a committee of five members be ap- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION, 1 35 

pointed by this meeting to attend the next meeting of the 
New England ■Manufacturers' Association meeting, for the 
purpose of conference, and to arrange, if possible a joint 
meeting of the two Associations. 

Seconded — D. A. Tompkins. Adopted. 

Adjourned. 

YOUNG men's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING, 8 P. M. 

]\Ir. D. A. Tompkins introduces Hon. John Barrett, Ex- 
United States Minister to Siam who addressed the mem- 
bers of the Association on the Subject of "Commercial x'Vd- 
vantages of the Far East." 

Address of Hon. John Barrett. 

China is the South's necessity. The future well being 
and industrial development of the South depend more on 
the market of China, than upon those of any undeveloped 
part of the world. If the demand for the manufactured 
cotton goods of the South, which is rapidly increasing in 
China, should be suddenly and permanently closed or lost 
to the South, the result would be a great industrial depres- 
sion which would throw this section back where it was 
before the wonderful progress of the present. 

Too strong terms cannot be employed to emphasizing 
this point. I may be called an enthusiast by some, but 
not by those who have studied alike the possibilities of our 
own Southland and the mighty Empire of China. The 
potentialities of China are the economic complement of 
those of the South. Therefore there should be a unanimous 
sentiment from one end of Dixie to the other in favor not 
only of the legitimate expansion of trade and commerce 
in the far East, but of fully preserving and protecting the 
advantages and interests which we already possess. 

Six years continued study of the industrial and economic 
conditions of China and other Oriential lands has convinced 



136 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

me that the Southern States of America have more vital 
concern in the development of Asiatic commerce than any 
other section of the United States, except possibly the 
Pacific Coast commonwealths of California, Oregon and 
and Washington, Were I to say this in a casual way or 
from a passing visit to China, I would not invite your 
belief and confidence in such a broad statement. My con- 
clusions are the gradual outcome of thorough investigation. 

You are so familiar with the actual situation of cotton 
growing and manufacturing in the South that I shall spend 
no time in discussing that feature of the problem, but shall 
consider just what is the South's opportunity for the sale 
of its great staple product in both manufactured and raw 
form throughout China and adjacent lands. 

What do we see before us? We note in China only one 
part of a wonderful coast line which reaches from Tas- 
mania, South of Australia and near the Antarctic circle, 
right away to Eastern Siberia and the Arctic circle, broken 
only by narrow straits, but indented everywhere with 
magnificent harbors upon which are located great and 
populous trade centres. It reaches for 8,000 miles, opposite 
our own Pacific shores. It has tributary to its waters a 
population of over six hundred million (600,000,000). 

It already possesses a foreign trade of nearly two billion 
($2,000,000,000), of which America's share at present 
amounts to only $200,000,000, or barely one-tenth. When 
we have exploited this immeasurable field of demand and 
supply as we have other foreign markets and our own 
home markets, our share should be at least half or $1,000,- 
000,000 (one billion), including both imports and exports. 

This is a general view of the situation in the far Kast. 
Now let us glaitce more specifically at China. The immen- 
sity of the opening almost appals us. There is an Empire 
of 4,000,000 square miles, or greater than all the United 
States with even its new dependencies ; a population of 
four hundred million, or five times that of the United 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBUCATION. 1 37 

States, and only 400 miles of railway, or, not more than 
enough to lay a single track from Charlotte to Washington. 
Imagine what must follow railway construction all over 
China and the opening up of the interior. It will directly 
affect the demand for manufactured cotton goods as it will 
that for all classes of foreign manufactured articles, a 
demand which always follows extended railway construc- 
tion and consequent building up of new conditions of life 
in any new country. China may be ancient in religion, 
philosophy and racial characteristics, but materially she is 
in her infancy. She has vast virgin resources yet 
untouched together with all the conditions of population 
which insure a material and a moral progress in the not 
too distant future, which will astonish the world. 

China's demand for the manufactured cottons of the 
South is the most interesting feature of her new commercial 
life. It is true that this trade is an old one and that long- 
years ago x'lmerica was exporting manufactured cotton to 
the Orient, but the rapid strides which have been made in 
the last few years have opened the eyes of the world to 
what may yet come. Only six years ago, when I first 
visited Fowchang, the gateway to Manchuria, American 
cotton goods made only 15 per cent, of the total imports at 
this point ; on the occasion of my last visit, about a year 
ago, x\nierican cotton goods, principally from your Southern 
mills, were 55 per cent, of the total imports. 

In 1889 the total value of cotton manufactures exported 
from the United States to the far East were $1,600,000; in 
1899 they exceeded $10,000,000. The quantity and value 
of raw cotton exported from the United States to the far 
East in 1889 amounted to respectively 23,500 pounds and 
$2,341 ; in 1898 the marvelous increase was measured 
respectively by 118,000,000 pounds and $7,870,896. The 
annual average of the quantity and value of raw cotton 
exported from the United States to the far East from 1889 
to 1893 amounted respectively to 1,150,000 pounds and 



138 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

$105,000 ; the annual average from 1894 to 1898 was 
respectively 37,000,000 pounds and $2,500,000. 

In all probability, judging from the opinion of the best 
experts, the United States will sell to the far East during 
the present year of 1900 manufactured cotton goods valued 
at over $12,000,000, and, exceeding in bulk 220,000,000 
pounds. 

The value of raw cotton sold principally to Japan, in 
contrast to the manufactured goods sold to China, may 
reach from present prospects for this year $10,000,000. This 
makes a possible total of $22,000,000 of Southern products 
sold to the far East, where ten years ago the total did not 
exceed $2,000,000. If this increase continues during the 
the next ten years, even at a lesser rate than during the past 
ten years, the South should sell manufactured and raw cot- 
ton in the Orient, valued at not less than $50,000,000. 
These estimates, by a careful study of percentages, will 
prove that my figures are conservative. 

We do not have to go back far in the records of the 
Slate Department to find consular reports which said that 
the Chinese people would never consume large quantities 
of American manufactured cotton. One consul of acknowl- 
edged ability predicted that in 1900 the demand would 
practically cease and that the mills of China and Japan 
would supply all the Chinese wanted. Now we witness a 
demand for the product of your Southern mills increasing 
more rapidly than that for the output of the Japanese mills 
and even underselling them in the open markets of their 
own country and China. 

In answer to the inquiry : what of the future? Let me 
call your attention to the fact that out of China's 400,000,- 
000 of people you are not now reaching more than 40,000,- 
000, and then in competition with other countries. Sup- 
posing that the time comes that America shall sell even 
the small average of twenty-five cents worth per head of 
cotton goods to China's entire population, we have an 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 39 

annual consninption of $100,000,000. It is often stated 
that we cannot compete with Europe successfully in all 
China, for instance, in the Yangste river valley and in the 
Sekiang river valley, which combined support 
a population of 200,000,000 and which are at the present 
practically unexploited by us. This prediction was made 
in regard to the Northern part of China which contains her 
other 200,000,000 people, but in the same way that we are 
becoming masters of the Northern section, we shall eventu- 
ally control the Southern portion. It is simply a ques- 
tion of providing what the Chinese want, and of being able 
to sell it at prices that will compete with the mills of Eng- 
land and Europe. To-day our field of influence is from 
Shanghai, the New York of China, north into Manchuria. 
South of Shanghai, England, the continent of Europe and 
India are masters of the market. 

The doubt is often expressed that the Chinese have not 
the money or the sufficient buying capacity to keep up in- 
creasing imports from foreign lands. I would combat this 
statement most emphatically. The records of the past sup- 
port my conclusions. Everything depends upon the open- 
ing up of the interior, and in reform and improvement of 
government. Given these two new conditions, and you 
will find that the Chinese will buy all you have to sell and 
sell all you want to buy. In other words, if China's mil- 
lions can develop their resources and get their products to 
market they will spend their increased earnings in increased 
purchases. 

In proDf of this assertion, note the wonderful history of 
the Yangste river valley, one of the most fertile and popu- 
lous sections of the world. Fifty years ago when the first 
treaty ports were opened to foreign trade along this river^ 
the total of $500,000 for one year represented all that the 
Chinese wanted to buy and sell, while one little side wheel 
steamer carried up and down from Shanghai, on the coast^ 
to Hankow, 700 miles in the interior, all the freight and 



140 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

passengers to be handled. In 1899 the annual trade of the 
Yangste valley exceeded $100,000,000, while a larger fleet 
of ocean and river steamers plied up and down the Yangtse 
than on the Mississippi, Columbia and Hudson rivers com- 
bined. Moreover, you can travel from Shanghai to Hankow 
in steamers as large and magnificent as those which run 
from New York to Albany on the Hudson, If any of you 
doubt my statements, I beg of you to seize the first oppor- 
tunity for a visit to the far East. 

The question of possible Asiatic competition is one that 
disturbs some who are pessimistic of the future. From 
careful investigation of Asiatic possibilities of labor, social 
conditions and considerations of demand and supply, I am 
convinced beyond issue that the danger of serious compe- 
tition is too remote to embarrass our present and future 
plans. It is a fallacy to suppose that there is an over- 
abundance of cheap labor in Asia. While it is cheap com- 
pared with ours, it is not cheap compared to conditions of 
life and extent of population. There is in fact little sur- 
plus labor in Asia to-day, and that will even be less marked 
as the material development of Asia pushes ahead. It may 
surprise you, but it is true, that labor has increased in price 
in the Chinese ports over 50 per cent, during the last ten 
years, while in Japan it has increased nearly 100 per cent., 
and in both sections labor is better organized even than it 
is in America, in great guilds and societies, and is making 
imperative demands on capital and employers. Wherever 
a few hundred men in an Asiatic cotton mill, or other man- 
ufacturing plant, become skilled, they immediately demand 
a proportionate increase of wages. Their employers are 
forced to concede the advance, or delay many months to 
educate others to equal skill. 

In these days, moreover, mere numbers do not make 
competition in labor. Considerations of machinery, econ- 
omy in production and manufacture, material and moral 
surroundings, and skill based upon advanced education 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 141 

and mentality, are the main influences that decide the great 
problem of competition. Whenever China and Japan shall 
have made such marvelous strides that they can success- 
fully compete with our present conditions, we will in turn 
have advanced so far that we will always be able to lead 
them or at least hold our own in the manufacture and 
export of the great staple products of our own land. I 
speak of competition for the sale of our product in foreign 
lands ; the competition for the sale of products in our 
home markets will be limited to our own producers 
by a protective tariff in the future as in the past, if 
necessary. 

It has been advanced in Congress and the public press 
that the South must look with hesitation upon the acqui- 
sition of the Philippines because of possible competition in 
producing and manufacturing cotton. This again is a fal- 
lacy that can be dispelled by the facts. It is true that 
there are certain portions of the Philippines in which 
excellent cotton can be grown, but such area is so limited 
that its total output will always be insignificant compared 
to that of the South, and not larger than that of the one 
State in the South producing the smallest amount. If all 
the Philippines were planted with cotton their product 
would not affect the general market, but that time will 
never come. The Philippines can raise the great staple 
products of hemp, tobacco, sugar, copra, rice, and many 
lesser products to far greater profit than they can ever raise 
cotton. There is, moreover, no more danger in competi- 
tion for mills that may be established there than from 
those established already in Japan and China. The Phil- 
ippines will go on to a magnificent commercial, industrial, 
and agricultural future ; they will not be occupied in com- 
petition with us in our home markets, but in helping to 
supply the vast growing demands of Asia's uncounted mil- 
lions. Moreover it is well to note that the Filipinos, the 
more they are educated and brought in contact with the 



142 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

foreign world, are a race of people who buy more and more 
of foreign products. 

One wanders even into wonderland of possibilities, but 
draws conclusions from legitimate premises when he esti- 
mates the measure of Asiatic trade in the future from what 
has been done in the past. To honestly determine what 
China, for instance, may yet accomplish let us see what 
Japan has done. The kingdom of the Mikado has devel- 
oped its foreign commerce from less than $30,000,000, or 
not quite $1 per head, to nearly $300,000,000, or over $6 
per head, in thirty years. On the other hand we note that 
China's foreign trade today is not quite $300,000,000, or 
less than $1 per head. As an estimate of what China can 
do in the future, when her interior shall be opened and she 
has experienced the governmental and educational progress 
of Japan, let us multiply China's total population of 400,- 
000,000 by 6, the rate of Japan, and we have a magnificent 
total, including imports and exports, of $2,400,000,000. 
Divide this in half to get the imports and we have the 
large sum of $1,200,000,000. Now if we will look over 
the list of China's imports we will see that two-thirds, or 
at least half, of them might be supplied by the United 
States, giving us an export trade with China alone of 
$600,000,000. 

This may not come in this generation, but it must as 
surely result within the next fifty years as it has been true 
of Japan proportionately during the last thirty years. The 
student of the resources and the peoples of China and 
Japan readily acknowledges that under favorable conditions 
China should even more than duplicate the achievements 
of Japan. 

If we send to the Orient without delay the proposed 
Asiatic Commercial Commission we shall learn that long 
array of fundamental data which are necessary to our man- 
ufacturers, agriculturists, and general producers, to master 
this mighty field and hold our own with the rest of the 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 43 

world in the competilion which is now developing for its 
permanent control. Let us moreover foster in every way 
our merchant marine, that it may carry to Asia and other 
lands our products under the American flag. If we have 
been granting local subsidies all these years for railways 
in states, counties, and towns, in order that we might get 
the advantage of better transportation facilities, certainly 
we should support a policy which will allow our govern- 
to subsidize vessels on the high seas which will put us in 
touch with the rest of the world as these railways, aided 
by gifts of counties and towns, have united the whole 
country. 

Time limit alone forbids my showing what markets 
there may be in Asia for other Southern products, such as 
manufactured iron and steel, and the various manufactured 
and raw products which this section will soon be able to 
furnish to foreign lands in competition with the rest of the 
world. The demand will surely not be confined to manu- 
factured and raw cotton alone. When the Isthmian canal 
is opened, and great steamers are running direct from your 
Southern ports to those of Asia, you will marvel at the 
variety which their cargos will contain. Furthermore I 
regret that I have not time to discuss the specific oppor- 
tunity, in a country like Siam, one of the richest and most 
progressive lands of Asia ; of Korea, which awaits Ameri- 
can development; of Eastern Siberia, with which already 
we have a large and growing trade ; of Japan, whose foreign 
trade has developed from $30,000,000 to $300,000,000 in 
the last 30 years, even showing an advance which rivals 
the record of our own country ; of the Philippines, the 
richest portion of all Asia, whose foreign trade of $33,000,- 
000, reached under Spanish rule, we shall expand to $150,- 
000,000 in the next ten years, and which are the geograph- 
ical, strategical, and commercial centre of the wonderful 
coast line, above mentioned, that winds in and out from 
Melbourne in Australia to Vladivostock in Eastern Siberia, 



144 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

and which will make us eventually not only the first mater- 
ial but the first moral power of the Pacific and her adjacent 
millions of people and trade. 

Before concluding, permit me to say in answer to many 
inquiries, that there are certain local conditions in China 
and general conditions in the Pacific upon which the per- 
manent prosperity and growth of the markets for the pro- 
ducts of the South in Asia depend. First^ we must pre- 
serve and protect fully the present field of trade by main- 
taining the so-called "open door," which means simply the 
preservation of our treaty rights of trade, for which Secre- 
tary Hay has recently secured such important and far- 
reaching concessions from the European powers. Second^ 
we must use all of our political, moral and material influence 
to maintain the integrity of the Chinese empire, and thus 
prevent subdivisions of her vast territory which might, 
under the sovereign control of competing nations, be event- 
ually closed against us. Thirds we must exert our states- 
manship to persuade China to open her entire interior to 
the free commerce of the world and to make such reforms 
and improvements in her administration of government 
as will bring both her and us the greatest good, and with- 
out which stagnation and even retrogration may result. 
Fourth^ American capital and enterprise must devote them- 
selves to building railways and developing the resources 
of the empire so as to increase both the buying and selling 
capacity of the people. Fifth^ Congress should authorize 
without delay the appointment of a Commercial Commis- 
sion, in accordance with the President's recommendation 
in his last message, to visit and study thoroughly the 
economic and industrial conditions of China and adjacent 
lands for the purpose of better understanding and develop- 
ing the exchange of trade. Sixth^ and finally, our govern- 
ment should build without delay the Isthmian canal to 
connect the Atlantic and the Pacific, lay the trans- 
Pacific cable to join our Pacific shores with Hawaii, the 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 45 

Philippines, Japan and China, and assist in every legitimate 
way the development of American merchant marine. 

With these ends accomplished the South will enter uporr. 
the full fruition of her greatest hopes and possibilities. 

At 11:00 o'clock in the rooms of the Chamber of Com- 
merce and Central Hotel dining room, a banquet was held 
at which some 325 people were present, representative of 
the best in prosperity of the North and South. 

The two banqueting rooms were very beautifully and. 
tastefully decorated. Bush was the floral artist in charge. 
Flowers, ferns, roses and tall palms were here, there and 
everywhere in charming arrangement. From end to end 
of the long dining-room in the hotel electric lights in colors 
were suspended, this being the courteous favor of the 
Southern Electrical Company which contributed electrical 
display. 

There was "Welcome" written over the door of the dining 
hall, and welcome was the generous, whole-souled keynote 
of the entire banquet. 

In material matters the credit of the success of the feast 
is due to the Central Hotel, the caterer. The management 
of the hotel made ample provision for their guests even 
to the most minute detail. The menu, as follows, was all 
that it should be : 



146 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

... /iDenu ... 

— o — 

Little Neck Clams 



Consomme, Royal 
Celery 



Sherry 



Broiled Pompano, Maitre d' Hotel 
Sliced Cucumbers Julienne Potatoes 



Mixed Pickles 



Small Patties, Salpicon 
Olives 



Salted Almonds 



Fillet of Beef, Larded, with Mushrooms 
Green Peas 



Punch, a la Francaise 



Turkey, Cranberry Sauce 



Potato Croquettes 



English Wild Duck, Currant Jelly 
Corn Fritters 



Cold Tongue 



Champagne 



Chicken Salad 



Strawberry Ice Cream 

Macaroons Lady Fingers Kisses 

Chocolate Eclairs Vanilla Wafers 

Raisins Fruits Nuts 

Cheese Crackers 

Cafe Noir 

Cigars 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 47 

The first toast, "Our Welcome," was gracefully and hand- 
somely made by Mr. George E. Wilson. 

Gentlemen : It gives me great pleasure to welcome you 
to this banquet hall. I have no formal words with which 
to greet you. Formal addresses, at best, are but cold and 
are poor vehicles to convey expressions of friendship. 

I want to speak to you as man to man and from our 
hearts to extend to you our cordial thanks for your pres- 
ence and a warm welcome to each and all. 

The time of your visit is auspicious. Nature has adorned 
herself in her youthful garb to greet you, and as this glad- 
some spring-time is soon to pass into the more glorious 
summer, so will the deliberations of your convention con- 
fined now to its own members, but when published to the 
world, command that increasing respect until the object 
you have in coming together will have been successfully 
accomplished. 

The place of your meeting is not without historic inter- 
est. It may not be known to you, but it is true neverthe- 
less, that within a stone's throw of this room was promul- 
gated the first declaration of American independence of 
British rule, and in the struggle for American liberty that 
followed, our people won from the British commander the 
proud distinction of being the Hornet's Nest of American 
rebellion. 

This place, too, is the centre of the manufacturing inter- 
est of the South. Within a radius of one hundred miles, 
are enclosed numberless mills, with hundreds of thousands 
of spindles, representing millions of capital. 

At the head of these industrial plants are men of ability 
and experience. And business has been successful and 
increasing. 

The kindest relations exist between capital and labor, 
each in turn respecting the rights of the other, and har- 
mony and good will prevails. 



148 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

And now, you must excuse a few words which may seem 
personal. In looking over your body I see the representa- 
tives of large corporations and of private enterprises, all 
engaged in manufactures of some kind. The personel of 
this convention, as well as the discussions of the various 
questions that have come before it will compare favorably 
with any convention of a similar kind ever held. 

In the amount of capital and in the number of industries 
represented this convention need not blush. It is pre- 
eminently the first. 

It is with pleasure, then, gentlemen, that I again welcome 
you to this banquet. We are glad you are here ; we would 
like to take each by the hand, and feel that if we met as 
strangers we will part as friends. 

Col. J. T. Anthony, the first president of the Southern 
Cotton Spinners' Association, gave the toast, "Our Asso- 
ciation." He said that he was proud of the opportunity to 
perform a duty so profoundly pleasant to him. Asking 
pardon for personal reference, he said that prior to the 
organization of the present association a small group of 
men met together in the spring of 1897 — a time well remem- 
bered as one of great financial depression — and sent out 
communications which resulted in the formation of the 
association in May, 1898, the honor of the presidency being 
given to him. 

Col. Anthony stated that he was exceedingly gratified at 
the very evident growth of the Association. He said that 
in resigning the presidency he felt that he had shown 
much wisdom, his successors being men of great ability. 
He regretted that he had been unable to attend the previous 
meetings of the association during the present convention, 
but he was assured that great good had resulted from the 
eliberations of the spinners. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 149 

Col. Anthony concluded his speech by urging the neces- 
sity of continued and strenuous industrial efforts ; and he 
also emphasized the need for expansion, not only in send- 
ing goods away from home, but in the development of com- 
merce in this country. 

President MciVden introduced Mr. R. H. Edmonds, 

Editor Manufacturers' Record, Baltimore, Md., who 
responded to the toast "The South's Interest in the Devel- 
opment of American Shipping." 

Address of Richard H. Edmonds. 

Exporting as the United States did in 1899 domestic 
products to the value of $1,250,000,000, nearly one-third of 
this, or about $400,000,000, originated in the Southern 
States. In addition to this the exports of Western products 
through Southern ports is ever increasing. With our 
industrial interests only at the beginning of their develop- 
ment, with less than one-third of the population of the 
country, and yet providing $400,000,000 of the total of 
America's export trade, it well becomes the South to look 
closely into the importance of developing our merchant 
marine. Of the vast freight represented in these exports 
of $1,250,000,000, vessels flying the American flag carried 
but $85,000,000. Great as our country is, standing at the 
close of the nineteenth century as the central figure in the 
world's affairs, holding a dominating position alike in the 
world's political and industrial interests, we are yet depen- 
dent upon foreign vessels for handling more than 90 per 
cent, of our exports. As American citizens we may well 
consider the necessity of how to reverse this condition, and 
we of the South are more deeply concerned in the solution 
than the people of any other section. For the time is com- 
ing when more than one-half of America's exports will pass 
through Southern ports. 

If I bring to your attention to-night some facts from the 



150 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

historical side of the South's effort in behalf of America's 
merchant marine, presenting the broad view of the ante- 
bellum South on this question, it will be but to shovv that 
the men of to-day who are giving their attention to policies 
looking to the upbuilding of our commercial interests are 
but reviving the work which the leaders of the South of 
fifty years ago were vigorously pressing. In recalling the 
efforts so persistently made half a century ago by the 
South's great leaders, we may do honor to their memory 
and find greater inspiration for the work which is now 
turning their dreams, so sadly interrupted by the war into 
substantial realities. 

Sixty years ago the South had reached the point where 
it was a constantly increasing contributor to America's for- 
eign trade, which was at that time so greatly enriching 
other parts of our country. Already the South had sent the 
first steamship which had ever crossed the Atlantic. Earnest 
men, like Stephen Elliott, of South Carolina, had projected 
steam railroad lines connecting the Southern seaboard cities 
with what was then the undeveloped West, and two or three 
conventions had been held in the cotton States for the pur- 
pose of arousing an interest in other lines than agriculture 
dominated by cotton growing. By 1845 conventions 
designed to build up industry and commerce began to meet 
more frequently, and in the fifties they were held every year. 
Unfortunately for the South, these later conventions became 
for the most part arenas for the discussions of questions 
which afterward separated the sections. 

A convention of Southern and Western merchants in 
Augusta in 1838 recommended a speedy adoption of meas- 
ures for the introduction of commercial education among 
the youth, so that there might be established "a body of 
merchants whose entire interest and feeling would be cen- 
tered in the country which had reared and sustained them." 
A step in this direction, which was probably the first plan 
for a professorship of commerce in this country, was drawn 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 151 

by James D. B. De Bow for the University of Louisiana, 
under an endowment by Col. Maunsel White. In this plan 
he designated the chair as a professorship of public economy, 
commerce and statistics, and included in it the application 
of statistics to commerce, agriculture and manufactures. 

At the Memphis convention of 1845, over which John 
C. Calhoun presided, resolutions were adopted in favor of 
the improvement of the navigation of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi rivers as objects strictly national, of connecting the 
Mississippi river with the Northern lakes by a ship canal, 
of the prompt extension by the government of the telegraph 
into or through the valley of the Mississippi, of aid by 
Congress by grants of land for the construction of railroads 
projected through the public domain, and of a dry dock for 
repairs and refitting of government vessels at some suitable 
point on the Gulf of Mexico. The convention took the 
ground that the railroads and other means of communica- 
tion between the Mississippi valley and the South Atlantic 
ports would give "greater facilities to trade, greater dis- 
patch in traveling and in developing new sources of wealth," 
and would have a salutary influence, commercial, social and 
political. 

In 1 85 1 William N. Burwell made a report to the Vir- 
ginia convention recommending an appeal to Congress to 
bestow upon a line of mail steamers between Hampton- 
Roads and European ports "the same mail facilities which 
are extended to Northern lines." 

The Memphis convention of 1853 regarded the establish- 
ment of direct communication by steam between Southern 
ports and Europe, and the encouragement and pro- 
tection of this system by the national government, connect- 
ing therewith ample mail facilities, as an essential feature 
in the commercial independence of the South and West. 

The Charleston convention of 1854 urged Congress to en- 
couraofe establishment of mail steamers between Southern 
ports, Brazil and Europe, and also for the improvement of 



152 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

the merchant service by encouraging boys to go to sea, and 
recommend that the Southern States lend their aid by 
exempting from taxes for a limited time the goods directly 
imported into them, or by allowing the importers an equiva- 
lent drawback or bounty. 

In 1856 R. G. Morris brought out at the Richmond con- 
vention that a Richmond firm had been awarded the con- 
tract for the engines for two government ocean steamers, 
having satisfied the government, which had invited propo- 
sals from all quarters, that "they had made the best offer 
for these immense engines, both as it regarded cheap- 
ness and construction." 

It was probably due to the effect of these conventions 
and to the general discussions following their work that 
the Legislature of Louisiana passed an act granting a bonus 
of $5 a ton for every vessel of more than 100 tons burden 
which should be built in the State, while the Alabama 
Legislature passed a similar act granting $4 a ton for every 
steamer, and exempting from every description of State, 
county or municipal taxation the sale of all goods imported 
into the State directly from foreign countries. 

At Charleston in 1851 the stock necessary for the organ- 
ization of the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company was 
promptly subscribed. 

At that time the Southern States were most liberal in 
their aid to railroad building with a view to developing 
trade. A notable example of the general tendency was 
apparent in the message of Governor Manning, of South 
Carolina, to the Legislature of 1852-53, recommending a 
subscription by the State of $1,000,000 to the Blue Ridge 
road, projected from Anderson to Cincinnati, on the ground 
that this would secure for Charleston a gigantic foreign 
commerce. 

Prominent in all these movements, either as a personal 
participant or as a vigorous writer, was De Bow, the foun- 
der of the "Commercial Review of the South," which for 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 53 

fifteen years before the war was the exponent and chronicler 
of the South's commercial and industrial undertakings. His 
speeches were many, but in none of them was a more strik- 
ing sentence thanin his address at Nashville in 1851, when 
speaking for railroad construction and State aid to railroads, 
he said : "God may have given you coal and iron sufficient 
to work the spindles and navies of the world, but they will 
sleep in your everlasting hills until the trumpet of Gabriel 
shall sound unless you can do something better than build 
turnpikes." 

Stimulated by such leaders as De Bow and others, rail- 
road building was slowly pushed, with lines gradually 
reaching from the seaboard towards the interior, others con- 
necting interior towns, the prevailing idea being to estab- 
lish great systems connecting Southern ports with the pro- 
ductive inland markets in order to enlarge both the export 
and import movement through Southern ports. 

An address calling for a railroad convention of Southern 
and Western States to meet at New Orleans in 1852 is a 
splendid summary of the spirit prevailing among the pro- 
gressive men of that day. A few extracts will indicate their 
sentiment. Referring to railroads, it said : 

"Is there any necessary reason that the whole commer- 
cial strength of the nation should concentrate in the cities 
of the North, whilst New Orleans, Mobile, Charlesiton and 
Savannah are arrested in their progress, or exhibit at times 
even the evidences of decay ?" 

"Whilst we have been idle spectators, New York and 
Boston have been taking away the commerce of the rich 
and growing States of the Northwest, which once paid 
tribute to us as it passed to the ocean, but which now avoids 
our limits and refuses its former wealth. Are the millions 
of the Northwest more naturallv allied to those of the North 
than to us, who occupy a part of the same great valley and 
are nearer of approach, and must we forever abandon the 
idea of controlling or of sharing their commerce ?" 



154 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

''What then must be done for New Orleans? She must 
by a wise and liberal stroke of policy regain a part, if not 
the whole of the trade she has supinely lost and open new 
sources of opulence and power, which are abundant all 
around her. She can do this by changing and modifying 
her laws bearing unequally or hardly upon capital and 
enterprise, by cheapening her system of government, by 
affording greater facilities and presenting less restrictions 
to commerce, by establishing manufactures, opening new 
steamship lines to Europe and conducting a foreign import 
trade, and finally, and what is of first importance and should 
precede every other effort, by munificent appropriations to 
railroads branching to the West and to the North and the 
East from a terminus at her center or from termini on such 
interior streams and rivers which are necessarily tributary 
to her. Now is the accepted time for action. To-morrow 
will be too late." 

The wide grasp of the situation is further demonstrated 
by the recommendation of the convention that there be 
constructed "the Southwestern National Railroad from 
Washington city to New Orleans, passing through the States 
of Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, 
constituting the shortest practicable line of mail and travel 
transit, and consisting of the following continuous sections 
now under construction, to-wit, the Richmond & Lynchburg 
Railroad, the Virginia & Tennessee road, the Georgia & 
Alabama road, the Alabama & Tennessee River road, the 
Selma & Jackson road, the New Orleans & Jackson road," 
and that "a railway and water communication across the 
Isthmus of Tehauntepec is of national importance, espe- 
cially so to the whole Southwest." 

Underlying many of the plans of that day was the con- 
viction that the future of the South in this direction was 
assured by the fact that cotton and its manufactures had 
given the great impulse to commerce in the early part of 
this century, and there is quite a familiar sound in the state- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION, 1 55 

ment made in the report of the legislature of Alabama 
about 1838, that it cost Alabama $1,800,000 to get its cot- 
ton to European markets, and another $1,800,000 to get to 
Alabama the imports in exchange, and the question is 
asked, "If this amount must be paid, why should it not be 
paid to our own citizens ?" 

In the report made by Robert Y. Hayne at one of the 
earliest Southern commercial conventions at Charleston in 
1839 it was said that while the Southern and Southwestern 
States were producing nearly three-quarters of the domestic 
exports of the Union, they imported scarcely one-tenth of 
the merchandise received in exchange, and that foreign 
commerce was causing cities of other States to flourish 
while Southern cities were falling into decay. 

Bearing particularly upon the relation of cotton manu- 
facturing to commercial expansion were portions of a pam- 
phlet published originally in a series of communications to 
the CJiarleston Courier in 1845. Its author, William 
Gregg, was a pioneer in cotton mill building in South 
Carolina, and his pamphlet, based upon experience, obser- 
vation and judgment, was an argument for the support of 
industrial and shipping undertakings. Taking Newbury- 
port, Mass., as an illustration of the benefit of industrial 
interests and shipping facilities in overcoming a threatened 
decay of the town, he said: "The wharves are now crowded 
with shipping, the sound of the hammer is heard in every 
direction, new houses are being erected and old ones have 
been remodeled, real estate has not only advanced to its 
original value, but doubled and quadrupled it, and so it 
would be with Charleston, Augusta, Columbia and other 
places at the South." Suggesting that the spinning of 
cotton yarn might be profitably undertaken by the South, 
he said : "And there is no good reason why the name of 
some of our large planters should not be seen on bales of 
yarn making their way to Europe to supply the markets 
that are now monopolized by the English spinners. Eng- 



156 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

land has for many years been sending millions of dollars' 
worth of this article to the Continent. Since 1832 she has 
exported to that part of the world from $16,000,000 to$25,- 
000,000 worth per annum. And what is to prevent us in 
Carolina from setting up a claim to a portion of this trade? 
Are we afraid of Northern competition in this, the simplest 
of all kinds of manufacture? The South has never failed 
to supplant the North in this branch of manufactures where- 
ever the attempt has been made. As we begin to have 
some practical experience in manufacturing at the South 
we can now see what an absurdity it would be for us to 
pack up our cotton and send it to England to be returned 
as osnaburgs taxed from $60 to $80 per bale, as was the case 
formerly, when the same can be converted into cloth in the 
immediate neighborhood of the place in which it grew for 
one-fourth of the sum. It is equally as absurd in us to send 
our raw cotton to Europe to be spun into yarn, adding $40 
to $50 to the value of a bale, which yields the planter of 
the interior, after paying the expense of transportation, 
from $12 to $15 only." 

In 1852 J. G. Gamble, in a letter urging the erection in 
every county in the cotton States of factories to commence 
with spinning, and afterwards to enter upon the weaving 
of cloth, wrote : 

"Our Southern factories w M obtain the raw material 
at least 20 per cent, chea . than those of England, and 
Southern yarn and cloth would monopolize both the foreign 
and the home market. Let each county commence with a 
factory o 1,000 spindles, and let the planters agree to invest 
annually 10 per cent, of their crops in the extension of such 
factories, and in a few years they would manufacture the 
whole crop of the country and export it in the shape of 
yarn and cloth. Such a course would double the value of 
our exports, and would add to the prosperity of the coun- 
try more than the gold mines of California twice told. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 57 

Its effect upon the banking institutions and commercial 
interests of the country cannot be sufficiently estimated." 

Again, the contention was made that a given number of 
spindles could be put in operation in Georgia for much less 
cost than a like number could be put in operation in any 
of the Northern States, because of the difference in the value 
of land, water-power and buildings, and that they could be 
kept in operation for much less because of the difference in 
the price of labor, provisions, clothing and fuel, aud that this 
advantage would necessarily give the State a leadership in 
the markets of the whole world, so that ultimately these 
factories would supply not only the local demand, but that 
of foreign markets. And he expected the commerce of 
India and China to reach the Atlantic through Georo;ia. 
He had in mind transportation across the country, and 
urged Georgia to diversify both its crops and its manufac- 
ture, so as to make the profits of transportation and retrans- 
portation. 

At that time public opinion was divided between a rail- 
road from the Mississippi to the Pacific, which was to be 
built for the full development of the territory of the Uni- 
ted States, and the route across the Isthmus either by rail 
or water. It is interesting to note in this connection T. 
Butler King's report on the proposed Panama Railroad, in 
which he furnished a comparison of the routes to the Pacific 
ports by way of Cape Horn and the Isthmus of Panama 
from Liverpool to New York, and pointed out as one of the 
great causes of British commercial supremacy that "she 
not only has the ports of the Continent of Europe as her 
neighbors, but she is 1,500 miles, or two weeks, nearer than 
we are to all the other ports of the world, except the x'Vtlan- 
tic ports of the American continent north of the equator 
and of the West Indies." This report was quoted in an 
argument in favor of a railroad or canal across the Isth- 
mus. Of special importance in connection with this sug- 
gestion was mentioned the lessening of the distance to the 



158 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

Asiatic, Polynesian and other Pacific markets. The figures 
of population of the Sandwich Islands, Sumatra, Borneo 
India, the Philippines and China were given, and the ques- 
tion was asked : 

"Can it be imagined that these vast regions, so densely 
populated, have already reached the acme of their foreign 
trade, or is it not plausible, when better systems of inter- 
course are opened, jealousies removed and civilzation 
extended, that trade with them will be augmented two or 
three-fold, reaching, perhaps, in the aggregate, $5,000,000 to 
$8,000,000? Instead of 2,000 travelers visiting the East 
per annum, in such a contingency, would not the number 
reach nearer 20,000, which, at half the present rates of 
travel, would realize $6,000,000 or $8,000,000?" 

These figures seemed large in that day, but in compari- 
son with what is already being done in the development of 
trade with the Orient they are insignificant. They do, how- 
ever, show that the spirit which prevails to-day of determi- 
nation on the part of the cotton manufacturers and business 
men generally of the South to take and hold a dominating 
position in the development of Oriental trade is but a revi- 
val of the spirit of the Old South. 

In the Memphis convention of 1849 ^^^ construction of 
a national railroad from the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean, 
and also the construction of branch roads connecting the 
main trunk line with the Northern lakes, the Mississippi 
river and the Gulf of Mexico, were advocated. The con- 
vention also favored the construction of a railroad across 
the Isthmus to facilitate trade while the national road was 
under way. 

Any review of Southern aspirations of fifty years ago 
■would be incomplete, however hasty, without a reference to 
the inspiring work of Matthew F. Maury, of Virginia. He 
was not ony the great tracer of the paths of the sea, but dur- 
ing twenty years a persistent advocate of measures by which 
new paths for American trade could be opened and the rela- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 59 

tion of the South to that trade be readjusted. By word of 
mouth, in letters, reports and contributions to periodical 
literature, he kept to the front the material question, enlight- 
ening his arguments with the results of scientific attainment, 
personal experience and the foresight of statesmanship. 
About 1837 a strong effort had been made to obtain from the 
Virginia legislature a charter for the Atlantic Steam Naviga- 
tion Company. The promoters proposed to make Norfolk the 
terminus of the line, provided the South should take a part 
of the stock. Maury was acquainted with it, and realized 
its potentialities. Discussing it ten or fifteen years later 
he wrote : 

"Had the legislature of Virginia created that ocean steam 
navigation charter Norfolk would at this day have been 
the center of steamship enterprise for the United States. 

"The French steamers would have been built there ; they 
would have been commanded and controlled by Americans. 

"This would have established foundries, machine shops 
and ship yards at Norfolk, and have placed her ten or fif- 
teen years ahead of New York in the steamship business. 
Norfolk would have been enabled to get the contracts from 
the government for establishing those lines of splendid 
steamers that are now giving such a tremendous impetus to 
the trade, business, travel and traffic of New York. The 
lines of the Isthmus would have belonged to Norfolk. Hers 
would probably have been the Havre and Bremen lines, and 
the Old Dominion might have claimed also what is now 
the Collins Line." 

Lieutenant Maury then told the reasons for the shifting 
of direct trade from Southern ports to New York as 
improvements in navigation were made, but expressed the 
hope that before 1857 he would see the Isthmus pierced 
with commercial thoroughfares, great national highways 
across America and the South, regaining in tenfold meas- 
ure its foreign commerce, its direct trade, its importing 



l6o TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

business and commercial prosperity. In discussing this he 
said : 

"From the Gulf of Mexico all the great commercial mar- 
kets of the world are downhill. A vessel bound from the 
Gulf to Europe places herself in the current of the Gulf 
Stream and drifts along with it at the rate, for part of the 
wa\-, of 80 or 100 miles a day. If her destination be Rio, 
or India, or California, her course is the same as far north 
as the Island of Bermuda. 

"And when there shall be established a commercial 
thoroughfare across the Isthmus the trade winds of the 
Pacific will place China, Indiaand all the islands of that ocean 
downhill also from this sea of ours. In that case the whole 
of Europe must pass by our very doors on the great high- 
way to the markets both of the East and West Indies." 

Again and again he reverted to the part to be played by 
the South in the expansion of American trade through the 
union of the Atlantic and Pacific, and one of the most com- 
prehensive papers was devoted to a survey of the possi- 
bilities of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, 
which he called the Mediterranean of the West, to be 
developed by the Isthmian connection. In a most graphic 
manner he sketched the tremendous importance of the val- 
leys of the Mississippi and the Amazon as contributors to 
the commerce of the Gulf ; he showed that the energies of 
the United States were so great that they required a high- 
way across the Isthmus to give them full scope and play, 
and in conclusion said : 

"From all this we are led to the conclusion that the time 
is rapidly approaching, if it has not already arrived, when 
the Atlantic and Pacific must join hands across the Isthmus. 
We have shown that there is no sea in the world which is 
possessed of such importance as this Southern sea of ours ; 
that, with its succession of harvests, there is from some one 
or other of its river basins a crop always on the way to 
market ; that it has for back country a continent at the 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. l6l 

north and another at the south, and a world both to the 
east and to the west. We have shown how it is contiguous 
to the two first and convenient to them all. The three 
great outlets of commerce, the delta of the Mississippi, the 
mouths of the Hudson and the Amazon, are all within 
2,000 miles, ten days' sail, of Darien. It is a barrier that 
separates us from the markets of 600,000,000 people — 
three-fourths of the population of the earth. Break it down,, 
therefore, and this country is placed midway between. 
Europe and Asia ; this sea becomes the center of the world 
and the focus of the world's commerce. This is a highway 
that will give vent to commerce, scope to energy and range 
to en«-erprise, which in a few years hence will make gay 
with steam and canvas parts of the ocean that are now 
unfrequented and almost unknown. Old channels of trade 
will be broken up and new ones opened. We desire to see 
our own country the standard bearer in this great work." 

Another dream of ^laury's was the plan of giving to 
Norfolk or the Hampton Roads basin direct communication 
with European ports. The idea of the French promoters 
of 1837 was revived about 1850, and a bill was introduced 
into Congress to charter a steamship line between Virginia 
and Antwerp. An argument advanced in its favor was 
that nearly all the mails of continental Europe passed 
through England and on to New York ; that the direction 
of trade ever follows the line of postal communication, and 
for that reason mainly trade between America and Europe 
centered at New York. Should direct communication by 
steamers be established between Norfolk and Antwerp, 
Norfolk would at once secure the portion of continental 
mails which passed thrcJugh Belgium, embracing a popular 
tion of more than 100,000,000 and sweeping over a territory 
containing some of the finest agricultural and manfactur^ 
ing districts of Europe. When this was done trade would 
ne^'cessarily follow, and Virginia's seaport, being the center 
of commercial intelligence, would become a center of com- 



l62 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

merce. A few years later a distinguished Frenchman was 
planning to arrange a line of steamships from the James 
river to ports in France. He was acting for the Franco- 
American Trans-Atlantic Navigation Company, which it 
was claimed had a capital of 18,000,000 francs, eight steam- 
ers of 2,000 to 2,500 tons, with a line already operating to 
Rio, New York and New Orleans. 

In the same period is found the convention at Bristol, 
Va., appointing Hon. Ballard Preston, formerly Secretary 
of the Navy, to visit Europe for the purpose of setting forth 
the financial and industrial condition of Virginia and the 
advantages to follow the establishment of direct trade con- 
nections, with special "reference to the speedy establish- 
ment of a suitable line of steamers between the waters of 
Virginia and Europe." Mr. Preston was requested also to 
report whether or not the vessels of the company owning the 
Great Eastern were likely to promote the objects of the 
convention. The Great Eastern, then in course of build- 
ing, was one of the factors involved in the crusade of 
Ambrose Dudley Mann, a native of Hanover county, Vir- 
ginia, who had served abroad in commercial diplomacy, 
and who resigned from office to devote himself to the up- 
building of Southern trade. In August, 1856, he sent 
an address to the South proposing the establishment of a 
of a weekly line of steamers of 20,000 tons capacity be- 
tween Milford Haven, 120 miles southwest of Liverpool, 
and the Chesapeake Bay. The plan commended itself 
to the Southern Commercial Convention, which met at 
Savannah that year, and in September of the following 
year a convention at Old Point Comfort, over with ex-Presi- 
dents Tyler presided, endorsed it. Those in attendance at 
the convention showed their practical faith in the under- 
taking by subscriptions to stock. By March 15, 1858, the 
number of shareholders had grown to several hundred, 
when the assembly of Virginia incorporated it as the 
Atlantic Steam Ferry Co., with permission to have a capi- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 1 6 



O 



tal amounting to $50,000,000. Maury saw the immense 
possibilities in the plan. He wrote a letter dwelling upon 
the resources for foreign trade of the States behind Virginia 
and alluding to the near completion of the Covington & 
Ohio Railway, giving, with the Blue Ridge road and the 
central connection between the seaboard and the Ohio, said 
it was "the most direct and favorable route that commerce 
can possibly have between Western Europe and our West," 
and added : "In calling the attention of English capitalists 
to the great physical and natural resources of this part of 
the country, and in presenting for their consideration your 
rapidly drawn sketches of its production and present valne, 
I hope you will be able to give them assurances that the 
Covington & Ohio Railway is to be pushed forward vigor- 
ously to completion, and that by the time they can get 
their ships ready this work will also be ready to fetch and 
carry for them." 

In advocating the organization of this company Mann 
gave a most comprehensive outline of the tendency towards 
railroad construction and extension as a means to convey 
foi transportation to foreign countries the cotton of the 
Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louis- 
iana, xA.rkansas, Florida and Texas ; the tobacco, wheat and 
corn of Virginia, Tennessee, IMaryland and Delaware ; the 
pork and bacon and lard and tobacco of Kentucky and 
Missouri ; the rice of South Carolina, and the resin and 
turpentine of the Carolinas. Quoting the estimate of expert 
judges, he said : "There is a sufficiency of iron and coal 
in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky to supply the wants 
of the Union for 100 centuries, while copper, lead, gypsum 
and salt exist in one or more of those States in immense 
quantities." And outlining the possibilities of freight from 
the South for foreign export, he said : "Steam or some 
motive power not yet discovered will be employed hence- 
forth for propelling vessels in commerce or for belligerent 
purposes." His proposition looked to the organization of 



1 64 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBWCATION. 

a company to start with four vessels of the type and size 
of the Great Eastern, then under construction, claiming 
that "the number of such vessels required for the weekly 
ferry service would inspire the utmost respect for the 
American flag on the Atlantic," and that "from the mili- 
tary point of view four such steamships as the Great East- 
ern would be of inestimable advantage to the United States 
if they should ever be needed for active service." These 
vessels, according to his view, in times of peace would be 
practical naval schools for the attainment of knowledge of 
steam engineering. The amouut of money required to 
transform the navy from sail to steam was too great to be 
to be undertaken, and, therefore, he added : "To obviate 
this and to render at the same time our position secure we 
must construct vessels, both for the Atlantic and the Pacific, 
which, while they will carry the olive branch of commerce 
in one hand, will carry in the other the sheathed sword." 

These propositions represented the views of the leaders 
of the South of forty and fifty years ago. They were not 
idle dreams ; they were broad conceptions born of a com- 
prehensive grasp of the situation and a desire to give the 
South its proper place in the commerce and industry of 
the country. They were enthusiastically endorsed and 
supported by the foremost business men of that day. They 
failed of accomplishment solely, I believe, because of the 
intervention of the war between the States, which made 
impossible the carrying out of such undertakings. 

My purpose in bringing to your attention the actions of 
these conventions and the plans of the great leaders of the 
old South is to show that what the South is now doing along 
the same line is but the fulfillment of the plans made and 
pushed with such vigor half a century ago ; that the spirit 
now dominating the progressive South is no new thing, 
but simply the spirit of the old South revived, -and with 
new life and new vigor, because through the economic 
changes wrought by the war and in spite of the terrible 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 65 

strain of that struggle, we are given larger opportunity for 
development and for taking a commanding position in the 
world's affairs. Stimulated by a study of what the old 
South so broadly planned looking to the development of its 
shipping and commercial interests, we may well press for- 
ward with renewed energy, determined that the South 
shall take its rightful place in helping to create for the 
United States a shipping interest commensurate with 
our position as the richest nation of earth. Originating, 
as the South is already doing, about $400,000,000 worth of 
foreign exports a year, shipped almost exclusively in vessels 
that fly the British, German and other foreign flags, the 
South may well be deeply concerned for the upbuilding of 
a merchant marine because of the magnitude of its present 
export trade. But what the South is to-day doing in fur- 
nishing nearly one-third of the total exports of America is 
but a faint indication of the magnitude of the trade which 
will be developed within the next ten or twenty years. 
Many gathered here to-night will live to see the exports 
from Southern ports exceed in volume the total export 
trade of the United States at present. 

To-day the South produces on an average 10,000,000 to 
1 1,000,000 bales of cotton, representing, including the cot- 
ton seed, a valuation of from $350,000,000 to $400,000,000. 
This enormous crop is produced on 5 per cent, of the total 
area of the cotton region. Of the entire cotton growing 
territory of the South, only 20 per cent, is now in improved 
land. It is possible, with new land added to the cotton 
area and with more scientific cultivation, to increase our 
cotton production to 100,000,000 bales. It will be many 
years before we can conceive of the production of such a 
crop, but there is every probability that within the next 
twenty years the world will be demanding of the South at 
least 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 bales, and that the South 
will produce it with as much ease as it is to-day producing 
its 10,000,000 bales. 



1 66 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

The mining of phosphate rock, which forms such an impor- 
tant element in the foreign trade of the South, now aggre- 
gates at least 2,000,000 tons a year, and this can be doubled 
and quadrupled for many years to come, but this generation 
is not likely to see the exhaustion of the supply which the 
South can add to the world's commerce in phosphate. 

In naval stores the South holds a monopoly, and of 
standing limber it has one-half of the total supply of the 
United States. Mr. B. E. Fernow, the distinguished timber 
expert, says : "In the South lies the key to the situation of 
the future lumber market, and according to the manner in 
which what is left to her of her enormous timber wealth 
will be managed and exploited she may or may not control 
the lumber market forever." 

The iron and coal interests of the South, which were 
making fair progress before the war, were practically swept 
out of existence, so far as actual work was concerned, by 
the results of that struggle. When the war had ended the 
South was too poor to take up this industry, and the iron 
and coal business had been concentrated in the North. 
Gradually, as the disorganization which followed the war 
gave way to law and oider, the work of development com- 
menced. Birmingham led the way and demonstrated to 
the world, first, that the South could make iron at a profit ; 
then that the South could ship iron to the North at a profit, 
and next — most startling in its world-wide influence — that 
the South could export iron to Europe at a profit. It was 
scarcely five years ago when the first foreign shipment of 
Southern iron was made from Birmingham. It was only 
250 tons, and was wholly an experiment. The man who 
made it was a Southern man. Out of that experimental 
shipment there developed a trade the importance of which 
can be appreciated by the simple statement that last week 
Birmingham sold 50,000 tons of iron for export. The suc- 
cess of the South in exporting pig-iron and the demonstra- 
tion of its ability to produce iron at a lower cost than any 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 67 

other section of the world have marked the beginning of a 
revolution in the world's trade, the extent of which we can- 
not now grasp. For many years it has been an accepted 
axiom that "that country or that section of any country 
which can produce and market iron at the lowest cost will 
dominate and control the commerce of the world." That 
the South is able to produce and market iron at a lower 
cost than any other section is now universally admitted in 
America, as well as in Europe. But when we add to the 
South's rapidly developing power in the iron and steel 
interests of the world its equally strong position in cotton 
and cotton goods, we find a situation which has no parallel 
elsewhere. England's vast shipping interests, owning, as 
that country does, one-half of the steamship tonnage of the 
world, have been based on her coal and iron and the man- 
ufacture of cotton goods. These three great interests cre- 
ated the financial strength and dominating influence of 
Great Britain. To-day, the South is pressing its iion and 
steel interests into all foreign markets in competition with 
Great Britain ; it is exporting its cotton goods and it cot- 
ton seed products in competition with the world ; its timber 
is furnishing an immense foreign export business, and of 
coal, of which it has a far greater supply than all Europe 
combined, it is already producing 45,000,000 tons a year, 
or 3,000,000 tons more than the total output of the United 
States in 1880. Just twenty years ago the total output of 
bituminous coal in the United States was 41,000,000 
tons. Last year it was is 198,000,000. The South's coal 
production last year was 45,000,000 tons, and there is no 
good reason why the rate of growth in the coal production 
of the South during the next twenty years should not be 
at least equal to the rate of growth in the United States 
during the last twenty years. Should this prove true, twenty 
years from now the South will be mining and marketing 
200,000,000 tons of coal. But for the fact that we have seen 
the coal trade of the United States grow from 40,000,000 



1 68 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

to 198,000,000 tons in twenty years, such an increase would 
seem impossible. In 1879 the total pig-iron production of 
the United States was 2,700,000 tons. This year the 
South's production will be about 2,750,000 to 3,000,000 tons. 
Thus we are mining more coal and producing more pig-iron 
than the United States mined of the one and produced of 
the other twenty years ago. 

Of raw material produced in the South alone we export- 
ed last year of cotton $191,000,000 worth, notwithstanding 
the fact of a great decline during that calendar year because 
of the short purchases of foreign buyers; of cotton oil $12,- 
000,000, of cotton seed cake and meal $10,000,000, of phos- 
phates $7,500,000, of naval stores $11,000,000, or $231,- 
500,000 worth in all. Of products which it has in common 
with the country at large its exports for the year may be 
estimated as follows : Mineral oil $25,000,000, tobacco 
$30,000,000, lumber and limber $17,000,000, pig-iron $3,- 
000,000, cotton goods $14,000,000, live-stock $10,000,000 
coal $5,000,000 — a total of $104,000,000. To this should 
be added the South's share in the exports of fruit, of man- 
ufactures of iron, steel and wood, of grain, of hides and 
leather, and of provisions, amounting to not less than $40,- 
000,000, or an aggregate of over ^375,000,000. 

Twenty years ago the capital invested in manufacturing 
in the United States was $2,700,000,000. Ten years ago, 
or in 1890, it had reached the astounding figures of $6,500,- 
000,000, and to-day it is probably upwards of $10,000,000,- 
000. Even now we so far out rank any other country on 
earth in the magnitude of our industrial capital that what 
the future has in store for us can scarcely be comprehended. 
The time is rapidly approaching when the export trade of 
the United States will be double the export trade of 
all Europe, and the South's proportion will every year 
steadily enlarge. 

What Maury termed the downhill tendency of a great 
portion of the outward movement of the country's trade, 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 69 

checked when New York, by its canal and railroad, as he 
phrased it, turned the Mississippi valley upside down, has 
been renewed and accelerated, as line after line of railroad 
has been constructed or formed by consolidating minor 
lines, until from the capes of the Chesapeake to the Rio 
Grande are magnificent harbors, connected by steel-bound 
arteries with those portions of the country which must ulti- 
mately furnish the bulk of American commerce. Stephen 
Elliott's hope has been more than fulfilled; the suggested 
line from New Orleans to Washington, as proposed in 1852, 
is a fact, and while its organization may not have been 
effected on the identical lines proposed, it follows to a won- 
derful degree the original direction. There is no canal 
across Florida, as was then proposed, but at Tampa is a 
railroad terminus pointing in one direction to Cuba and 
Latin America and in the other to the narrow strip of land 
still separating the Atlantic and the Pacific waters and 
retarding the growth of a line of Gulf ports which in time 
must become more opulent than the cities of the Medi- 
terranean. The Covington & Ohio, the Blue Ridge and 
the Central railroads, formed for the purpose of connecting 
the Ohio valley with Hampton Roads, are now one line, 
and have met the proposed steam ferry line to Europe. In 
1856 an intention to establish such a swift steamship line 
from a Southern port was regarded in some quarters as a 
deliberate attempt to weaken the solidarity of the Union. 
To-day, the union of Norfolk and Newport News with the 
country beyond the Alleghanies; of Charleston and Savan- 
nah with the central South and West; of Jacksonville, 
Pensacola and Mobile with the timber, iron and phosphate 
regions of the South; of New Orleans with Chicago and the 
Dakotas beyond; of Port Arthur and Sabine Pass with 
Kansas City, the center of great grain and cattle trade, and 
of Galveston with the farther West, presents the spectacle 
of Northern, Southern, Western and foreign capital work- 
ing together for the advancement of Southern commerce. 



lyo TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

To make this advancement sure other projects must be car- 
ried out. The Isthmian canal must be constructed, the 
American merchant marine must be expanded, and the 
American navy must be in a position to make unnecessary, 
and, indeed, impossible, any warfare which otherwise might 
be resorted to as a means of checking America's commer- 
cial extension. That such a country as the United States, 
with such abounding wealth and with such a future, should 
be spending, as we are now doing, ^200,000,000 a year in 
paying the vessels of other nations to carry our exports to 
market and to further our exchange of products seems to 
me to be an unanswerable argument for the support of our 
own merchant marine and for measures intended to over- 
come the advantages as shipbuilders and ship owners which 
other nations now possess. The South has a peculiar in- 
terest in such measures, for the South already possesses at 
Newport News a shipbuilding plant representing a cash 
investment of $12,000,000 and giving employment to 6,000 
hands, and at Richmond a $2,000,000 shipbuilding com- 
pany, with 1,200 employes, demonstrating that Richmond 
cannot only build engines for government vessels, as in 
1856, but can also compete successfully with older plants 
for the construction of war vessels themselves; while the 
dry-dock at Algiers, fulfilling the recommendation of 1845, 
must ultimately be followed by shipbuilding interests there. 
Even now English shipbuilders are figuring on the feasi- 
bility of establishing a great shipbuilding plant at some 
point on the Gulf. 

There may be some slight difference between the aid 
given by individual States or individual cities to secure the 
construction of railroads, as was so generally done in the 
past, and, as we all admit, to the great profit of the country, 
as compared with the aid given by the general government 
to the development of shipping interests, which would 
benefit the commerce of the South with that of the whole 
country, but the difference, if any, is one of degree and not 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. IJI 

of kind. The plea advanced in 1838, that if x\labama must 
pay $3,600,000 a year to exchange its cotton for European 
products or money it should be paid to Alabama people^ 
may readily be paraphrased into the simple statement that 
if this country pays more than $200,000,000 to get its goods 
to market, the money should be paid to citizens of America, 
and especially when this $200,000,000 must in the near 
future be doubled and quadrupled by the growth of our 
foreign trade. 

We are building what we regard as a great navy, but con- 
trasted with the navies of the countries which we must 
meet in world competition it is still small, and few believe 
that the expenditures will be rapid enough to meet the de- 
mands of international relations, changed, enlarged and 
complicated as an outcome of the Spanish-American war, 
and of our new position as a dominating factor in the 
world's commerce. The Spanish-American war was but 
an incident which brought prominently to the front our 
new position. What has forced us into the world's affairs 
is not so much the Spanish-xA.merican war as the revolution 
in our foreign trade conditions. It was but a few years ago 
when the United States was the dumping-ground for the 
surplus iron and steel products of Europe, while to-day we 
are dominating the world in iron and steel, and already are 
exporting upwards of $100,000,000 a year of iron and steel 
products. It is a fair statement to say that when the world 
has readjusted itself to the present higher prices of iron and 
steel, or when we in this country have caught up with the 
phenomenal demand of the last twelve months and are 
again ready to vigorously push into the foreign market, that 
there will not be an iron bridge or a railroad constructed 
on the face of the earth for which America will not directly 
or indirectly set the price. The control of the iron and 
steel industries of the world has already passed into Ameri- 
can hands. 

It is difficult to grasp the full meaning of this, and still 



I 72 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

more difficult to attempt to soberly portray its influence upon 
our own country, as well as upon others. Great Britain's 
supremacy in the world's affairs, its great financial power 
and its vast shipping interests are largely due to its iron, 
steel and coal interests. Upon them it founded its com- 
mercial empire — the greatest that has ever been known. 
Its ability to produce iron and steel at less cost than any 
other country gave to Great Britain the power to develop 
its iron, ship-building and ship-owning interests, and to sup- 
ply the demands of every country for machinery and of 
manufactured goods. Without its coal and iron it could 
not have become the dominating power in the trade and 
commerce of the world. And now the scepter of its power 
has departed. We are making nearly double as much iron 
and steel as Great Britain, and making it at a price that 
will soon defy competition. We are not only turning out 
the raw product, but with astonishing rapidity we are push- 
ing our steel rails, our locomotives, our iron and wood- 
working machinery into all countries, and now with such 
help from the national government as first enabled us to 
develop the making of pig-iron and of steel rails, we should 
be able to duplicate in shipbuilding our phenomenal 
record in other branches of metallurgical development. 

Among the nations of the earth, in its resources, in its 
facilities for their development and in its advantages for 
commerce, the United States slands pre-eminent and alone. 

With Europe on one siJj and Asia on the other, with 
resources many times greater for the development of manu- 
factures and the creation of wealth than all of Europe com- 
bined, with a coast line of thousands of miles on the Atlan- 
tic and the Pacific, a strong, virile, homogeneous population 
of nearly 80,000,000 people, unvexed by the arbitrary 
regulations of a dozen different governments and different 
laws and different languages, the United States stands to-day 
just at the threshhold of its career, and justly commands 
the wonder of the world. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 73 

A study of business conditions indicates that our country 
has entered upon a period of great activity and expansion 
that will probably be without parallel in our history. We 
have laid a solid foundation for expansion at home and 
abroad. Our manufactures have been steadily forcing their 
way into every foreign market; our industrial interests are 
on a solid basis of economic production that enables us to 
meet the world's prices on finished products as widely 
diverse as cotton goods and locomotives. The recent war 
gave a broadness of view in world affairs which has been 
an inspiration to business activities, which has quickened 
our people with a spirit of commercial dominance. No man 
living has ever seen such a period of advancement as we 
have entered upon. What the discovery and settlement of 
America were to the Old World four centuries ago the con- 
ditions in Cuba, Porto Rica, the Philippines, Asia and 
Africa will be to America, magnified as many times as pres- 
ent civilization and commercial facilities exceed those of 
that period. "A new world is rounding into form." Our 
land is to be the quickening, energizing influence to advance 
trade, extend civilization and spread the gospel of freedom. 
Just as we have entered the political world with a power 
and influence that have startled Europe, so are we prepar- 
ing to enter the world of trade and commerce. Since 1865 
we have been busy developing an empire at home and laying 
broad foundations for an industrial structure commensurate 
with our unmatched resources and energy. 

With Asia and Africa being opened up to advancing 
civilization, to the building of railroads, the development 
of industrial interests, the utilization of modern improve- 
ments; with Cuba and the Philippine Islands as fertile 
fields for trade expansion, for railroad, manufacturing and 
agricultural advancement; with the building of the Nicara- 
guan canal practically assured in the near future, we can 
see that the world is being prepared for an advance in 
civilization and in trade greater than ever before known in 



174 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 

the history of the human race. With all of these forces 
coming into play at a time we are fully able and ready to 
enter in and control a large share of the work and the wealth 
to be created, he is a bold man who would attempt to pre- 
dict the wonderful progress of the United States dur- 
ing the next decade. And the South is to be the greatest 
gainer. 

These are not idle dreams. A country which within 
twenty years can increase its manufacturing capital from 
less than $3,000,000,000 or over $10,000,000,000, that can 
increase its bituminous coal production in the same period 
from 41,000,000 to 198,000,000 tons, its pig-iron from less 
than 3,000,000 tons to nearly 15,000,000 tons, its cotton 
spindles from 10,000,000 to 18,000,0000, and which to-day, 
despite all of this phenomenal growth, is expanding more 
rapidly than ever before, is a country which may well 
challenge the world's attention. It becomes us, therefore, 
as citizens of this country, not only from national pride, but 
from sound business and economic reasons, and for safety, 
to lay aside all petty jealousies, whatever they may be, and 
unite in an effort to develop our shipping interests to a point 
commensurate with our progress in all other lines of human 
activities. 

So far as the South is concerned, for fifty years, when 
unimpeded by the necessity of devoting all of its energies 
to mere existence, it was vitally interested in the commer- 
cial growth of the country and in the utilization of the 
shipping required for that commerce. I took a leading 
part in advocating the construction of the Isthmian canal, 
the development of steamsnip lines and the extension of 
trade with South America and Asia. And having taken 
up once more the upbuilding of its material interests, having 
its many ports between the Chesapeake Bay and the Rio 
Grade equipped with splendid terminal facilities and its 
railroad lines connecting with the far West, while its own 
products are seeking a foreign market, the South may 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 75 

again justly take the lead in seeking to revive American 
shipping interests. 



At the conclusion of Mr. Edmonds' address — at 2:30 A. 
M. — there was great applause and the exceedingly good- 
humored banqueters called for a number of prominent cot. 
ton spinners, who responded in brief, timely speeches. 
Among these were Mr. D. A. Tompkins, who emphasized 

with pleasurable significance the unity between the 
North and South ; Mr. Theo. C. Search, who spoke of the 

wonderful industrial prosperity to be gained as a result 
of proper aggressiveness and expansion ; Mr. R. S. Rein- 
hardt, who spoke briefly and humorously. Mr. John Bar- 
rett, after paying a pretty compliment to Mr. D. A. Tomp- 
kins, again adverted to the necessity of keeping the 
American flag over the Philippine Islands and the concomi- 
tant importance of expansion. His words brought forth a 
tumult of applause. There is no room for doubt as to how 
the Southern Cotton Spinners' Association stands on the 
question of expansion and the open door policy in the East. 
At 3 o'clock this morning and afterwards the spinners yelled 
for Mr. Geo. Otis Draper, and a number of other representa- 
tive men, who yielded to friendly clamor and spoke pithily 
and sensibly. 

The last speaker was Mr. H. W. B. Glover, traffic man- 
ager of the Seaboard Air Line, who spoke in response to 
repeated calls. He said that he believed in expansion 



176 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

— that the Seaboard had typified by construction the 
practical principles of expansion. 

The banquet ended at 3:20 this morning. In its length 
and interest it was altogether a fitting conclusion to the 
greatest convention of mill men ever held in the United 
States. 

The reading of the following telegram by President Mc- 
Aden evoked much applause : 

"Boston, Mass. 

"Geo. B. Hiss, Secretary Southern Cotton Spinners' 
Association, Charlotte : 
"The New England Cotton Manufacturers' Association 
send greetings with best wishes for a successful meeting 
and pleasant banquet. C. J. H. Woodbury, Secretary." 

Motion by R. B. Miller that we return thanks to the 
Seaboard Air Line for furnishing transportation to Lincoln- 
ton and return for the members and friends of this Asso- 
ciation. Adopted. 

Adjourned at 3:15 A. M. 



SOUTHERN COTTON SPINNERS' ASSOCIATION. 



Its Organization— Its Wonderful Growth of Membership— Officers 
Who Have Guided Its Affairs— The Object Sought in Forming 
the Association— The Advantages of Membership— The Advan- 
tage of this Association to the Southern Manufacturer and a 
Glimpse Into Its Future Operations. 

For a number of years past there have existed in all por- 
tions of the United States or rather those portions of 
the United States where the manufacturing interests 
were of sufficient importance, organizations composed 
of the different manufacturing interests. These Associa- 
tions have been formed and their existence kept intact from 
year to year for the purpose of bringing about friendly 
business intercourse between those engaged in the same 
kind of manufacturing ; for instance, the iron manufac- 
turing plants have their organization. The New England 
Cotton Manufacturers years ago formed the New England 
Cotton Manufacturers' Association, and the manufacturers 
of lumber or those engaged in preparing lumber for the 
market, have their organization, etc. 

Doubtless years ago when the South was largely 
engaged in manufacturing, associations or organizations 
existed, but the war which brought about the destruction 
of the South's manufacturing industries, removed thereby 
the necessity of industrial organizations. With the renewed 
efforts that the South is putting forth from an industrial 
standpoint, awakens the necessity for the organization of 
associations which will gather together those who are en- 
gaged in kindred manufacturing. For the greater part those 
now engaged in the manufacture of iron or cotton in the 
South are of a different generation from those who engaged 



178 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI.ICATION. 

in these indusiries forty or fifty years ago. Of course there 
are exceptions, there are people engaged in the manufacture 
of cotton to-day whose families for several generations past 
have been engaged in the same industry, but these are the 
exceptions and form but a small percentage of those engaged 
in the manufacture of cotton in the South to-day. 

Many of those who have recently entered a cotton man- 
ufacturing life have taken up this industry with very little 
knowledge of the manufacturing ability required to profit- 
ably operate their plant. This situation has in a measure 
been brought about by the fact that the manufacture of 
cotton goods has been stated to be somewhat more profitable 
than some other manufacturing industries ; hence the man 
who could command the capital, was willing to risk the 
venture, though he realized his lack of manufacturing 
ability, but felt that he could employ a capable superinten- 
dent who would look after the practical part and he operate 
the financial end. It can be safely stated that a large per- 
centage of the mills in operation in the South to-day, and 
a large percentage of those that will be put into operation in 
the South in the future, have been organized and will be 
organized upon this basis. The practical man is essential 
to the successful operation of any kind of a manufacturing 
plant, but ordinarily speaking, the practical man has his 
mind fully taken up with proper execution of the orders 
which are given to him in the line of manufacture, and it 
is not supposed that he is at all times in a position to advise 
the financial end as to when and when not to buy cotton, 
as to when and when not to take orders for the goods that 
his plant manufactures. Consequently, as happens at vari- 
ous periods in the history of eveiy kind of manufacturing, 
there comes periods of depression for which the practical 
man is not responsible, nor is the financial man responsible, 
but it is during such periods as these that the executive 
management of both the practical man and the financial 
man are put to'a test. During these depressions it is known 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. .179 

to some that there are manufacturing plants which are able 
to continue to pay their dividends. The plants are, for the 
most part, operated by men who have a practical knowledge 
of the business in all its details. The man who manages 
the financial end is competent to take charge of the man- 
agement of the mill in the practical part, but these men have 
been thoroughly schooled into their business long enough 
to anticipate that there must come times of depression when 
the profits in the business are not as large as that the earn- 
ings are neither paid out all together in dividends or 
expended in extensions. Both of these matters are attended 
to with proper wisdom and always a sufficient amount is 
set aside for surplus fund, out of which, if it is necessary 
dividends could be paid until the period of depression is 
passed. 

_ It was during one of these periods of depression which 
had its beginning with the failure of the Barring Bros, in 
England along in the early 90's, and which depression had 
continued from year to year with hardly, if any, improve- 
ment until the fall of '98, the thought was given, by some 
persons to the manufacturing of cotton goods in the South, 
and the circumstances surrounding these various cotton 
manufacturing plants, which elicited the facts depicted in 
this article. Numbers of men were operating plants, 
manufacturing cotton into yarn and cloth, who had 
little knowledge of the business themselves ; it is 
true they were learning with each year, but of the prac- 
tical details of cotton manufacturing, they knew little, but 
were dependent for this knowledge upon the practical man 
who was their superintendent. The depression continued, 
those who had not made proper provision for such a long seige 
of depression, were unable to compete with those who had, 
it was impossible to earn dividends, the cost of cotton, 
coupled with the cost of manufacture, exceeded in some 
instances the selling prices, so that the business had nar- 
rowed down until it was worse than "swapping dollars.'* 



l8o TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

This state of affairs, as is well known, did not apply only 
to the South, but it applied to the cotton manufacturing- 
plants in New England as well. 

This situation brought to the minds of a number of man- 
ufacturers the fact that "Necessity was the mother of in- 
vention," and in view of the fact that there were few of the 
more recent manufacturers of cotton goods who knew as 
many as five of their fellow manufacturers who were man- 
ufacturing goods similar to their own, there was little 
opportunity for them to gain knowledge of one another so 
that they might have the benefit of each other's knowledge 
and thereby improve the general knowledge of each other. 
Thus the situation existed in the fall of '96, when there 
was gathered together a number of manufacturers in the 
city of Atlanta, Ga., with an object in view of forming what 
was known at the time as "The Southern Textile Associa- 
tion." This association was formed, officers duly elected, 
but it seemed almost impossible to get the members of it 
to attend the meetings. In the early part of '97, two or 
three manufacturers, together with the senior editor of this 
paper, lately deceased, met by appointment and inaugurated 
plans for the formation of an association of Southern cotton 
manufacturers, having the idea in mind that the bringing^ 
together once or twice a year of the different officers of the 
various cotton manufacturing plants, would enable them to 
become acquainted with each other and to profit by such 
acquaintance in a business way as well as socially. The 
efforts of these gentlemen seemed to meet with very little 
encouragement, it being stated by those who were approached 
on the subject, that for some reason Southern manufacturers 
were very different from those in any other section, that 
they were, so to speak, somewhat shy of each other, and 
they really felt that while they were willing to give some 
information, it might be they would not receive an equal 
amount in return. Efforts had previously been made to 
organize such organizations, but had met with dismal fail- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI.ICATION. l8l 

tires. It was cited that The Southern Textile Association, 
which was still in existence, was unable to get a quorum 
together, and thai while there was no question of doubt that 
such an organization would prove of benefit to those engaged 
in the manufacture of cotton goods in the South, that the 
Toad to travel in perfecting such an organization was strewn 
with all kinds of obstacles which would make the under- 
taking most hazardous and discouraging. It was pointed 
out that the mills were, for the greater part, unable to make 
both ends meet, that they were unable to stand any extra 
expense such as would be incurred in gathering at any one 
point and paying dues to keep up an organization, that 
there was naturally expense to be incurred in operating 
such an association, that the officers of the association in 
part would have to receive salaries, and that taking alto- 
gether, it was most impracticable to attempt to perfect an 
organization at that time. Notwithstanding all of these 
discouraging recommendations, earnest efforts were made 
to secure a good representation at a meeting which was 
called to be held in Charlotte, N. C, on the 15th day of 
May, 1897. To the surprise of a great many people, the 
efforts that were made brought together, on the 15th day of 
May, some sixty or seventy manufacturers of cotton yarns 
and cloth. At that meeting it was proposed, among other 
things, that the gentlemen present should become members 
of the Southern Textile Association. This idea was not 
encouraged, and before this body of manufacturers had ad- 
journed, they had formed themselves into an association, 
had elected a President, Vice President, Sec'y- and Treas., 
and a Board of seven Governors, which officers consisted of 
the following: Col. J. T. Anthony, President, Charlotte, 
N. C; A. P. Rhyne, V. P., Mt. Holly, N. C; Geo. B. Hiss, 
Sec'y. and Treas., Charlotte, N. C; A. A. Shuford, Hickory, 
N. C; P. M. Brown, Charlotte, N. C.;R. J. Stough, David- 
son, N. C; A. M. Price, Lincolnton, N. C; R. S. Reinhardt, 
Lincolnton, N. C; D. R. Julian, Salisbury, N. C. 



1 82 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBL,ICATION. 

These last named gentlemen, together with the vice 
president, forming a Board of Governors. 

These orentlemen became the first officers of "The South- 
ern Cotton Spinners' Association," which was the name 
given to the organization. 

The membership fee was fixed at $5.00, and the dues 
were to be 25c. per 1,000 spindles per annum. Thus a mill 
which had 5,000 spindles would pay $1.25 per annum as 
dues. There was no arrangement made as regards to salary 
for any of the officers, and these entered into office without 
any salary arrangement, and from that day until this, there 
has never existed any salary arrangement for any of the 
officers of the association. The money received into the 
treasury was used for the purpose of spreading broadcast, as 
far as possible, the fact that the organization had been per- 
fected and inviting the various officers of the cotton manu- 
facturing plants of the South to become members of this 
organization. 

For the first year the growth of the Association was not 
very encouraging; still it had been clearly demonstrated 
that such an organization was beneficial, and those who 
were members knew best the advantages they were receiv- 
ing by virtue of their membership in such an organization. 

In view of the limited membership and the necessary 
expenses incurred in keeping alive the organization, it was 
necessary to use some financial strategy to prevent the 
organization from creating a debt, but by the proper guid- 
ance of the officers of the association there has never been 
a financial obligation made but what was promptly met. On 
the loth of June, 1897, The Southern Cotton Spinners^ 
Association again met in Charlotte and after transacting the 
business before it, appointed a committee consisting of Col, 
J. T. Anthony, Pres., Charlotte, N. C; A. P. Rhyne, V. P.; 
R. S. Reindardt, P. M. Brown, A. M. Price and Geo. B. 
Hiss, to visit Philadelphia, and confer with the various 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 83 

members of the Northern Commission honses. This com- 
mittee met in Philadelphia, June 30, '97, and at that time 
met by appointment about twenty members of the repre- 
sentative Cotton Yarn Commission Houses of the city of 
Philadelphia. In this meeting it also developed that the 
Commission Merchants could see no benefit to be derived 
by an association such as had been formed, and were inclined 
to discourage the movement. Thus again, where the 
original promoters had imagined they would receive en- 
couragement, they found it lacking. Nothing daunted, 
they returned South and reported the result of their visit 
and also asserted their determination to increase the mem- 
bership of the Association. Frequent meetings of the Board 
of Governors were held, each member responding cheerfully 
to notices sent them for call meetings, and each one, be it 
borne in mind, bearing absolutely every dollar of the expense 
incurred in travelling from his home to the place of meet- 
ing, etc. 

At the next Annual Meeting, which was held in the city 
of Charlotte on the 12th day of May, 1898, the following 
officers were elected: 

D. A. Tompkins, Pres., Charlotte, N. C; A. P. Rhyne, 
V. P., Mt. Holly, N. C; Geo. B. Hiss, Sec'y. and Treas., 
Charlotte, N. C; R. R.Ray, McAdenville, N. C; P.M. 
Brown, Charlotte, N. C; A. C. Miller, Shelby, N. C.;J. T. 
Anthony, Charlotte, N. C; J. C. Smith, Newton, N. C; R. 
S. Reinhardt, Lincolnton, N. C. The last six, together 
with the vice president, forming a Board of Governors. 
Thus began the second year of this organizatian's growth, 
and during the year, which had its fiscal ending May nth, 
1899, the Association more than doubled its membership. 

May nth, 1899, ^^^^ following officers were elected : Dr. 
John. H. McAden, President, Charlotte, N. C; J. P. Ver- 
dery, Vice-President,Augusta, Ga.; George B. Hiss, Sec. and 
Treas., Charlotte, N. C; and Board of Governors, as follows: 



1 84 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

D. A. Tompkins, Chairman, Charlotte, N. C; A. C. Miller, 
Shelby, N. C; J. T. Anthony, Charlotte, N. C; J. C. Smith, 
Newton, N. C; R. S. Reinhardt, Lincolnton, N. C; R. R. 
Ray, McAdenville, N. C; W. C. Heath, Monroe, N. C; 
A. P. Rhyne, Mt. Holly, N. C; Leroy Springs, Lancaster, 
S. C. 

Since the meeting of May nth, 1899, the membership 
has increased over 100 per cent. The Board of Governors 
have held eight meetings, one of which was held in Phila- 
phia, at which time there were some twenty five members 
of the Association gathered together, and each and every 
one of these gentlemen have borne every dollar of expense 
incurred by virtue of the office which they hold. Now, 
after three years, this Association will shortly holds its 
Fourth Annual Convention, and it is predicted by those 
who are well informed on the subject of cotton manufac- 
turing that there will be gathered together at this meeting 
a far greater number of Southern Cotton Manufacturers, and 
those indirectly connected with the business, than has ever 
been gathered together before in these United States, and it 
would be hard to locate to-day the man who would deign 
to say that The Southern Cotton Spinners' Association has 
not proven a success as an organization and financially 
beneficial to every manufacturer of cotton in the South. 

This year, May loth and nth, there will be gathered 
together by invitation, as the guests of the Association, 
some of the most eminent men in the United States, who 
will come here for the purpose of addressing this great body 
of manufacturers, and to lend by their presence, grandeur 
to the occasion. What will take place this year at this 
gathering in the way of a distribution of knowledge, will 
be a revelation to those who have not kept in touch with 
the work of this Association and the growth of the greatest 
manufacturing industry of the South but the work of 
this Association will not cease with this Annual Meet- 
ing ; but what will be witnessed here this month at 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. Ig5 

the Annual Meeting of this Association, will hardly be 
more than a forecast of the great good that will be accom- 
plished by the increase in the growth of the membership 
of this iVssociation, and the gathering into this organization 
of the great intellect which is rapidly manipulating plans 
for the up-building of a cotton manufacturing industry, 
such as would never have been dreamed of when Lee sur- 
rendered at Appomattox. 



SPEECHES AT THE BANQUET. 



Talks riade to Cotton Spinners at Southern Cotton Spinners' 
Association Convention, flay ii, 1899 — fir. Wittkowsky on 
♦'The South, Past, Present and Future, Industrially and 
Financially"— Toasts by fir. Powell and fir. Tompkins. 

Mr. Wittkowsky, responding to the toast, " The South, 
Past, Present and Future, Industrially and Financially:" 

Gentlemen : 

To me has been assigned the very pleasant task of spin- 
ning for you a yarn, about the South, its past, present, and 
its future. 

The theme covered by these three epochs embraces such 
wide fields for mental exploration, affords such a vast scope 
for the contemplative mind, is so full of possibilities, capa- 
ble of such great and inspiring lessons, that while I shall 
endeavor to perform that very pleasurable task to the best 
of my ability, yet in all sincerity I would fain have left 
that task to others better fitted to do such a subject justice. 

But, gentlemen, I give you assurance at the outset that 
I will make up for my short-comings in handling so weighty 
a theme by making it as brief as the important subjects 
under consideration will admit. 

Now, my hearers, what of the past ? I shall not endeavor 
to resurrect the long dead past. I shall not delve into the 
long vista of past ages, but shall content myself with "look- 
ing backward " only to the time within the memory of 
many within hearing of my voice. My " past " for this 
occasion begins with that eventful, fateful, and ever mem- 
orable 9th of April, 1865, when the peerless Lee and his 
heroic band of followers accepted the inevitable in good 
faith, laid down their arms and began to march to their 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 8/ 

homes. Homes ? " How many of them had homes to go to? 
What once was their homesteads lay in ashes and their 
farms in rnin and desolation. All that was left of home 
was that which they had cherished in the memoiy of happy 
childhood days, of gleeful sports at the old field school 
house ; perhaps the memory of the first glance of bright 
eyes and winning smiles of budding womanhood ; perhaps 
the memory of the young wife of his bosom and his little 
prattling babe, or of an old father and a now sainted 
mother, who in broken accents gave him her blessing as 
she sent him forth to the field of duty. 

Thither the soldier of the South turned his face, bowed 
down in grief, broken in spirit, sore of foot, lacerated at 
heart, despondent, on the verge of despair ; nowhere 
appeared the slightest sign of a silver lining to the dark 
cloud hovering around and about him, as he, weary, hun- 
gry and penniless, wended his way. To him the sun, in 
his midday effulgence, seemed to have lost his luster; the 
breaking of day in those spring mornings failed to awaken 
in the birds their accustomed songs and peans of gladness 
and praise to the Creator. To him the grass was not as 
green, nor had the sky its wonted azure, and all nature 
seemed attuned to his sad feelings. One looks in vain in 
profane history for a similar condition of things. I find a 
portrayal only in sacred record comparable to it : the Lam- 
entations of Jeremiah on the destruction of the temple. 

But the people of the Southern cities were then, and at 
this day they are still, the purest and least alloyed of that 
sturdy Anglo-Saxon blood, with all which the term implies. 
Such a people inured as they had become by four years' hard- 
ship and self-denial could not long remain in the slough of 
despondence. They soon began with a will to repair the 
waste places, and thanks be to the Jehovah in the Highest, 
who worketh wonders beyond the ken of men, so it came 
to pass, that which the Southern man considered his 
greatest calamity, and one which he thought would hamoer 



1 88 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

him most in the work of repairing his broken fortunes, 
namely, " the loss of his slaves," redowned to his greatest 
benefit, in the up-building of all sections of the South, 
bringing with it plenty, happiness and prosperity. Now 
everywhere is heard the sound of the axe, the hammer, the 
shovel and the pick, the spindle and the loom, the glowing 
forge and furnace, the result showing a money value of all 
holdings far, very far, in excess of the former money value 
of lands and the slaves included. For to pursue the even 
tenor of his way, with no further aspiration or incentive to 
develop the native resources which a kind Providence had 
so lavishly placed within his reach. But owing to the 
now altered condition of things of necessity, the white man 
of the South was thrown upon his own resources, with the 
result that his manhood and determination to succeed 
began to assert themselves, and hence this wonderful 
result. 

Many young men of the South, growing to manhood's 
estate, became restless amid their impoverished environ- 
ment, and sought homes and employment in more favored 
sections of our country, returning later to the country of 
their birth, imbued and inoculated with the push, thrift 
and experience that characterizes our Northern brethren, 
and in many instances inducing friends and acquaintances 
they had made in other fields of their labor to come South, 
and cast their lot with us, thus arousing and quickening 
the spirit of industrial pursuits to an extent never before 
equalled by any country. 

Now, mark the result, and note the " Present South," 
which can best be illustrated by a few statistical facts to 
which I now crave your attention. But in order not to tire 
you I will confine myself chiefly to the comparison of the 
States of the Piedmont section of the South, with a few of 
the most prosperous States of New England, and while 
there are doubtless many gentlemen present who are famil- 
iar with these facts, yet I opine that the result of the com- 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBWCATION. 1 89 

parison shown here below will be a revelation to many as 
it has been to me. 

My first subject of comparison will be the increase of 
population from 1850 to 1890. We find : 

Maine — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 7.47 

1860-70 22 

i«7o-8o 3.51 

1880-90 1.87— 13.07 

New Hampshire — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 2.55 

1860-70 2.38 

1870-80 9.01 

1880-90 8.51 — 22.45 

Vermont — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 31 

1860-70. . . 4.90 

1870-80 52 

1880-90 04 — 5.77 

Rhode Island — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 18.35 

1860-70 24.47 

1870-80 27.33 

1880-90 24.09 — 94.24 

Massachusetts — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 23 79 

1860-70 1838 

1870-80 22.35 

1880-90 25.57 — 90.09 



Total percentage, increase 225.62 

Alabama — 

Years. P C. 

1850-60 24.96 

1860-70 3.40 

1870-80 2653 

1880-90 19 84 — 74.83 



190 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

Georgia — 

Years. P. C. 

1850 60 16.67 

1860-70 12.00 

1870-80 30.24 

1880-90 19- 14 — 78.05 

North Carolina — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 14-25 

186070 7.93 

1870-80 30.65 

1880-90 15.59—68.39 

Tennessee — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 10 68 

1860-70 13.40 

1870-80 22 55 

1880-90 14.60 — 61.23 

South Carolina — 

Years. P. C. 

1850-60 5.27 

186070 27 

1870-80 41.10 

1880 90 15 63 — 62.27 

Total percentage, increa.«e 344. 77 



INCREASE OF CAPITAL IN THE VARIOUS MANUFACTURES 

FROM 1880 TO 1890. 

Maine — 

Years. P. C. 

Inc. 

1880 $ 49,000,000 

1890 , 80,000,000 — 63 

New Hampshire — 

Years. P. C. 

Inc. 

i8|o $ 51,000,000 

1890 79,000,000—55 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 191 

Vermont — 

Years. p. c. 

Inc. 
18S0 1 23,000,000 

1850 32,000,000 — 39 

Rhode Island — 

Years. p. c 

Inc. 
1880 I 75,000,000 

1890 126,000,000 — 68 

Massachusetts. 

Years. p. c. 

Inc. 
1880 $303,000,000 

1890 ... 630,000,000 — 108 

Total average increase, per cent 333 

Alabama — 

Years. p. c. 

Inc. 

1880 f, 9,000,000 

1S90 .... 46,000,000 — 411 

Georgia — 

Years. p. Q, 

Inc. 

1880 1 20,000,000 

1890 56,000,000 — 180 

North Carolina — 

Years. P. c. 

Inc. 

1880 I 13,000,000 

1890 32,000,000 — 145 

Tennessee — 

Years. p. c. 

Inc. 

1880 $ 20,000,000 

1890 51,000,000 — 155 

South Carolina — 

Years. p. c. 

Inc. 

1 880 I II ,000,000 

1890 29,000,000 — 163 



Total average increase, percent 1,054 



192 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 

COAL— PER CENT. 

Penusylvania — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 23,000,000 

1890 71,000,000 

1892 91 ,000,000 

Ohio- 
Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 2,000,000 

1890 18,000,000 

1892 14,000,000 — 600 

Indiana — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 347,000 

1880 1,900,000 

1890 3,300,000 

1892 ,, 3,300,000— 655 

Illinois. 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 2,000,000 

1880 4,000,000 

1890 15,000,000 

1892 17,000,000 — 750 

-I 

Iowa- 
Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 263,000 

1880 1,700,000 

1890 4,000,000 

1892 3,000,000- 1,040 



Total average increase, per cent 3>34i 



Alabama — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 10,000 

1892 5,000,000 — 4,900 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 193 

Georgia — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1874 40,000 

1893 ••••• 372,000— 830. 

North Carolina — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1889 ' 192 

1891 20,000 — 103, 

Tennessee — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

^870 133.000 

1892 2,400,000 — 1,704 

Virginia and West Virginia — 

Years. " ' Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1870 679,000 

1892 9,000,000 — 1,226 

Total average increase, per cent 8,763 

IRON. 

Pennsylvania — 

Years. • Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

1850 877,283 

i860 1,354,000 

1870 2,237,286 

1880 :............. 1,951,495 

1890 ....:;......... 1,560,234— 78 

Ohio— 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc, 

1850 140,616 

i8bo 288,977 

1870 ; : 55^,664 

1880 .:...: .; ■ 488,750 

1890 — 254,294— 81 



191 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 



Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts — 
Years. 



Tons 



P. C. 
Inc. 



1850 66,266 

i860 69,550 

1870 78,925 

1880 92,549 

1890 88,251 — 

Total average increase, per cent 



33 



192 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



Alabama — 
Years. 



Tons. 

3.720 
11,350 



P. C. 
Inc. 



i860 

1870 

1880 171,139 

1890 1,570,319—4,200 



Georgia and North Carolina- 
Years. 



i860 

1870 

1880 

1890 258,900 — 949 



Tons. 

2,700 

5,500 

84,000 



P. C. 

Inc. 



Tennessee — 
Years. 



i860 

1870 

1880 

1890 773,000- 



Tons. 

56,900 

64,900 

9,300 



P. C. 
Inc. 



731 



Texas- 
Years. 



i860. 
1870. 
i8«o. 
1890. 



Tons 

3,250 

2,500 

3,200 

13,000- 



P C. 

Inc. 



300 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBUCATION. 1 95 

Virginia and West Virginia — 

Years. Tons. P. C. 

Inc. 

i860 28,000 

1870 84,000 

1S80 217,000 

1890 500,000 — 1,685 

Total average increase, per cent — 7,865 



We now take up our great staple : 

COTTON. 

Bales. 
We find that in i860, when slavery was at its height, we 

raised 3,849,000 

With free labor, and notwithstanding that the South had 

lost during the Confederate War, by death, disease and 

disability, no less than 300,000 men, she made in 1870 4,347,000 

In 1880 6,600,000 

In 1890 8,674,000 

The Crop of 1897 and 1898 11,999,000 

Now as to its manufacture : 

NEW ENGI.AND STATES. 



Years. Spindles. P. C. 

Inc. 

i860 3,858,900 

1870 5,498,000 

1880 8,630,000 

1890 10,836,000 

1899 13,500,000—250 



Looms. 

93-300 
114,900 
184,700 
250,000 
350,000- 



P. C. 

Inc. 



275 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



Years. Spindles P. C. 

Inc. 

i860 298,500 

1870 327,800 

1880 542,000 

1890 1,554,000 

1899 3,900,000 — 1,206 



Looms. 

6,780 

6,250 

11,890 

36,250 

110,000- 



P. C. 
Inc. 



1,522 



196 twentie;th ckntury publication. 

While many of those present can readily comprehend 
the capacity of production from the given number of spin- 
dles and looms, yet, as this may reach some not conversant 
with this subject, I take the liberty to give some details. 

If our friend j\Iiss Cleoparta (of Egypt) was living to-day 
and was still engaged in her favorite pastime of needle- 
work, and took it into her head to embroider the initials of 
the name on a handkerchief or a pair of suspenders, as a 
Christmas present for one of our most prominent bachelor 
members of this association, and would telephone from 
Egypt an order to this association for a spool of thread to 
fit her cambric needle, the spindles now in use in the South 
could produce a thread reaching from here to Egypt in one 
minute of time. To spin a thread to reach around the 
earth, which measures, in round numbers, 25,000 miles, 
would require only four minutes of time. 

Should we take it in our heads to furnish a belt for Her 
Ladyship, the earth, we could produce one 36 inches in 
width in eight working days of 11 hours each, and have 
plenty left for a nice large double bow knot and two long 
sash ribbons; for we can produce with our present number 
of looms in eight working days of 11 hours each, 31,250 
miles of cloth. Thus I could go on and cite many more 
examples to show the magnitude of the Southern mill bus- 
iness, but for my promise at the outset that I would be 
brief, which promise, I apprehend, I have already broken. 

Such is the succinct statement of the present South. The 
showing in most gratifying, and exceeds the ambition of 
the most sangiune of 35 years ago. 

It is our good fortune to live in this, by nature, most 
favored section of our country, both as to climate and 
natural resources of every kind. The eyes, not only of the 
North, East and West, but of the whole civilized world are 
turning toward the Southern States and I am persuaded to 
think that, were the sage Horace Greely living to-day, he 
would not say, "Go West, young man, go West," but with 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 1 97 

his clear perception of future posibilities, he himself, ere 
now, would have come South, and beckoning to you gentle- 
men of the North and East, would say, "Don't go West, 
but come South, gentlemen, come South." 

One can make no mistake in going to any of the States 
of the South, they all have features before them. In this 
connection, I am reminded of the Irishman, who, while 
endeavoring to point out to a new arrival from the Emer- 
ald Isle, the difference between this country and his, said: 
"Moike, one man in this country is as good as another, and 
better, too, by jabbers." So, I say one State of the South is 
as good as another, "and better, too." 

I may be pardoned, of course, for saying that the good 
old State of North Carolina is as good as any other of the 
Southern States, "and better, too," and that our city of 
Charlotte and the country around her is the best city and 
section of that State, which is as good as any other, "and 
better, too." 

Yes, in this section one finds the greatest industrial 
development, especially in the manufacture of cotton. 
Gentlemen, if you take Charlotte as a central point and 
draw around it a circle of a hundred miles as the "crow 
flies," you will find that within that circle are located two 
million of the 3,900,000 spindles, and 58,000 of 110,000 
looms of the Southern cotton industry. 

While we enjoy many advantages over the East, yet we 
labor under some great disadvantages, viz ; Banking facili- 
ties and cheap interest on money. While our Eastern 
friends get their money at from 3 to 5 per cent., we 
of the South have been paying 8 to 15 per cent., and are 
to-day paying from 6 to 10 per cent., which you all very 
well know is a great tax on our profits and a great hin- 
drance to the full development of our country. We ought 
to put forth our best efforts to bring about a change. 

Bear with me for a little while, and I will present to you 
a few figures showing the inequality of the circulating 



198 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

medium of the South as compared with the East. In 1890 
we had a banking power in the United States per capita 
$96.69. The greatest in any one State was Rhode Island, 
with $371.62 per capita, and the minimum was in Arkan- 
sas, with $4.63 per capita. Taking it by sections, we find 
that the six New England States had $252 per capita, 
while the thirteen Southern States had but $18.70. In view 
of these conditions, the marvel of our great success becomes 
the more phenomenal. May we not hope that the party 
now in power will soon make good its last campaign pledge 
to give relief in the financial and banking system; in my 
humble opinion "banks of is>ue" under proper govern- 
mental supervision is the true remedy. But enough of the 
present South. Now, what of the future ? 

Who is there bold enough to assert what new develop- 
ments will take place within the next twenty years? There 
is no way for mortal man to see into the future. The only 
guidance we have is the past. Taking that as the basis, 
ihe contemplative mind soars into the realm of fancy, 
which at this day may smack of Munchausen ism. And 
yet who is bold enough now to gainsay what the imagin- 
ative, speculative mind may indulge in or give expres- 
sion to ? 

If in the last 20 years (our greatest development dates 
backs no further) we have with an unestablished credit and 
our success as a manufacturing country still problematical, 
with restricted banking facilities, with more or less inex- 
perienced managers of our industrial establishments, having 
barely opened the door of the natural resources v/ithin our 
reach, been able to accomplish such wonderful results, what 
may we not accomplish in the next 20 years ? 

With electricity yet in its infancy, with the constantly 
improving machinery and new inventions, with hundreds of 
thousands of unutilized water powers, is it not safe to say 
that we shall outstrip the past 20 years many hundred 
fold ? There is, and can be, no doubt of it. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 1 99 

Then, my fellow-citizens, let us all, as loyal Americans, 
true to our country and our dear flag, work together in 
peace and love and unity. 

Let there be no South, no North, no East and no West. 
L<et there be no contention of one section against another, 
but rather let there be emulation as to who can best serve 
his country's interest and thus serve his own. 

Let us in our peaceful warfare follow the example set us 
by those brave and heroic men of every section of our 
country who recently went forth to carry to victory and 
renown our glorious flag. 

Let us on this festive occasion resolve anew that for us 
and our latest posterity there is but one country, one flag, 
now, henceforth and evermore. 



200 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

ADDRESS OF MR. T. C. POWELL, GENERAL FREIGHT AGENT 

SOUTHERN RAILWAY. 

Mr. Chairman atid Getttlejuen : 

I am somewhat embarrassed by the chairman's introduc- 
tion — particularly in his reference to the passenger depart- 
ment, but riding on trains is something that does not come 
within my jurisdiction. There are some few special privi- 
leged persons who do ride on freight trains, but I believe 
they are persons who accompany stock. 

When I accepted the invitation to come to Charlotte 
today I did not expect to be placed on the list for a speech. 
I therefore have not had an opportunity to write out my 
remarks in detail as I might otherwise have done. The 
question of transportation facilities is one that interests the 
Southern shippers, especially the Southern spinners, I 
think, almost more than any other part of the country. 
The development of the South, which Mr. Wittkowsky 
has so fully explained, has to a great extent been due to 
the development of the transportation facilities of the 
South. I met a gentleman about a month ago on the train 
coming from St. Louis who had, when a boy, transported 
cotton in a wagon drawn by four oxen 145 miles, for which 
he charged $1 per 100 pounds. He later assisted me in the 
construction of a railroad between the same points. He 
became the president of that road. When I met him he 
had retired from business. In less than one generation the 
transportation facilities have arisen from the oxen to the 
railroad. My own experience does not go back that far, 
but I remember my father telling when he was a boy how 
he came from New York to Cincinatti by water. Now the 
Empire State Express from New York to Baltimore holds 
the record for fast record and regularity of record. The 
railroads of the South are endeavoring to bring themselves 
up to the standard that will give the Southern shippers 
the best service for the least money. It has sometimes 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 20I 

been said that the rates in the South are not as low per mile 
as the rates in the North — a statement which is entirely true. 
In the reports made by the Inter-State Commerce Commis- 
sion, showing the rate per mile of the railroads of the 
whole country, they have divided the country into five sec- 
tions, one of which takes in New York, Pennsylvania, and 
the New England States, and that section is used as lOO 
per cent, on which to base the others. If any of you have 
seen the statement you will see that the South section does 
not reach 50 per cent, of that section. Nevertheless the 
tendency of the rate is downward. The rate per ton in the 
South is less than it has ever been before. The address 
made by Mr. Sanborn as to export trade of the United 
States was particularly interesting to me because the South 
is better fixed to export than any other part of the country. 
It has more available ports than any other section. The 
Nicaragua Canal, which will undoubtedly be opened some 
time in the future, will give the South access to the South- 
ern territories through a shorter route than any othei sec- 
tion of the country. Taking the ports of export we have 
available as the farthest Southern port to the north Nor- 
folk. We have then Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, 
Brunswick, Jacksonville, and the newer ports of Miami and 
Tampa. O^he route via Miami to Havana is only 14 hours, 
and for that reason has become the most favorable route. 
The Plant Steamship Line has its boats from Tampa to 
Havana, so the South has a range of exports greater than 
any other parts of the country. In addition to that it has 
the means of reaching Mie Pacific coast quite as easily, and 
it has as cheap rates as the Northern cities. Under the 
method of adjusting the rates to the Pacific coast nearly 
every city in the South has approximately the same rate, 
the result being that one is just as ready to compete on the 
Pacific coast as the other. Mr. Richards was to have pre- 
ceded me and would have furnished some statistics as to 
the growth of the cotton mill industry in the South, and I 



202 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

will take the liberty of reading a few of his figures. In 
1890 there were 36,000 looms and 1,500,000 spindles in the 
States traversed by the Southern Railway system. On 
January ist, 1899, the number of looms had increased to 
91,000, spindles 3,600,000. These figures I believe have 
also been given by Mr. Wittkowsky. The increase in the 
movement of traffic between the States can be gauged from 
year to year, taking into consideration the crop conditions 
and the industrial condition. The chance, however, for 
large development is in the export trade, and it is in the 
export trade that we desire to become pre-eminent, and we 
have through the recent acquisition of the South Carolina 
& Georgia road opened up a new port, so that we now 
have Charleston, Brunswick, and we reach by a friendly 
connection Miami and Tampa. I did not intend to refer 
particularly to the Southern Railway, but as my duties are 
with that line I am better acquainted with that line than 
others. There is another point on which I think there has 
been some misunderstanding in the past. Under the old 
system of railroading it was customary to give the junction 
points or competitive points a low scale of rates and to 
make up the loss that sometimes occurred on that low 
traffic by what some people thought exorbitant rates on 
the local traffic. It is not the purpose of the Southern 
lines to thwart the industries on the local lines by charg- 
ing exorbitant rates. I think it necessary to refer particu- 
larly to that because there was at one time a great deal of 
injustice. It has sometimes been said that corn could be 
carried from the West to New York by a point and sent 
back from New York to that point cheaper than it could 
be shipped to that intermediate point. That condition has 
been changed. We recognize the competitive condition of 
the markets. We recognize that in order to get to a large 
market, such as New York, Chicago, Baltimore or Phila- 
delphia, 01 to the West, it is necessary to give every point 
of production practically the same rates. That there has 



til 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 205 

been a reduction in the rates of freight in the South is shown 
by the reports of the railroads themselves. The reduc- 
tion of freight has necessitated the consolidation of inter- 
ests. For the same reason the equipment has been changed. 
Col. Anthony told me the first car of Tennessee coal came 
in a car holding only 10 tons. To-day they will hold 30 
to 40 tons. Not long ago we had application made to 
us for a flat car which would hold 100,000 for the purpose 
of carrying a block of marble to Providence, R. L, and the 
block actually weighed 90,000 within a few pounds. It 
has been made necessary for us to take into consideration a 
change in our rates. So far as we have been able to foresee 
changed conditions we have published our traflfics with the 
idea which I have just explained. Colonel Anthony calls 
my attention to this car which carried only 10 tons and 
cost him delivered, in freight, $8 per ton. To-day the rate 
is $2.25. Then, at the coal being given away, the rates of 
freight did not permit the successful handling of coal in 
Charlotte. 

Gentlemen, when I got up I did not intend to say so- 
much. I thank you for your kind attention. 



204 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

REMARKS BY MR. TOMPKINS. 

Mr. D. A. Tompkins said, in response to the toast, 
^'Southern Textile Manufacturing :" 

Gentlemen of the Association : 

I want to repeat at the outset of what I have to say a 
sentiment that I expressed to-day in the association hall as 
having been uttered by Mr. Robert Y. Hayne, when he 
said : "I know of nothing, except the Christian religion, 
that can be compared with the influence of a free, social 
and commercial intercourse, for softening asperities, remov- 
ing prejudices, extending knowledge and promoting human 
happiness." We have to-day in this meeting the fruits of 
cultivation of that sort of sentiment which was planted two 
years ago when a few members of a small association went 
North to consult with commission men rtbout differences 
between the producers and the salesmen of yarn. When 
this committee reached the North, the report was that the 
committee fought shy of them, and did not see them for 
two or three days, and that they would not see them until 
they had invited them to dinner. Now, as we have all got 
together in one family, I would just like to ask the ques- 
tion amongst us girls here, who sent that invitation to din- 
ner, Mr. Rhyne or Mr. Parvin. It still seems to be a ques- 
tion of who struck Billy Patterson. The dinner was in 
Philadelphia, and it was a liquid dinner — all liquid. 

It seems to me that we have reached a condition in the 
United States when it is not a question of competition be- 
tween the North and South, but when it is rather one of the 
United States against the rest of the world. We manufacture 
today in the United States about one-fourth of the cotton that 
is produced in the United States. If we enter upon a cut- 
throat competition between the North and South we will 
continue to manufacture about one-fourth and Germany 
and England will supply the rest of the world with cotton 
goods manufactured from American cotton, while we are 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 205 

fighting over a domestic trade for one-fourth of the product 
of the United States. What we want to do is to accom- 
plish permanently what we have accomplished here to- 
night. Hold meetings in North Carolina that are com- 
posed of citizens of New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland 
and the Southern States for the purpose of promoting the 
foreign trade in American-made goods, and let us manu- 
facture one-half or three-fourths of all the cotton that is 
made in America instead one-fourth of it. It will require, 
gentlemen, the very best efforts of the whole of New Eng- 
land, of the people of the Middle States, and all the people 
of the Southern States, working together, to accomplish 
this result. We are set in competition against a people in 
Germany who are the best educated in the world. We are 
set in competition in England against a people who have 
the best training in the world for commercial trade, and 
we must together establish education in this country by 
which we can make diversified products that will fit South 
America, that will fit the Philippine Islands and Cuba and 
all other countries where cotton goods go, and where the 
people wear cotton in preference to other goods. It is the 
consummation of folly for us to talk about competition with 
New England. There is no such thing. We and they can 
cut our throats in this domestic market, but in order to 
prosper we must get that foreign trade to which Mr. San- 
born referred in his lecture. The means of accomplishing 
this is to diversify our production. Here in the South we 
are making too much the same kind of goods. Everybody 
wants to make a four-yard sheeting, or No. 20's. I want 
the next generation to be educated to let up on me. I know 
how to make the plainer goods — it is the business of the 
younger men to find out how to make the better goods. It 
is your and my business to provide educational systems by 
which they can make these better goods. The price of 
these plainer goods is about three times the price of raw 
cotton. The price of the goods we make to-day in the 



2o6 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBI^ICATION. 

South is about i8 cents a pound on an average, whereas 
the average price of raw cotton is about 6 cents. In a town 
not loo miles from here not over two weeks ago, I weighed 
some very ordinary dress goods that were being purchased 
by the ladies of that community. It ran up about 64 cents 
a pound that these people were paying for dress goods, and 
it is possible that cotton that their parents sold for 5 cents 
per pound went to make up these goods. Now we 
want the next generation to provide these goods, and we 
want the coarser goods left for this generation. I am an 
advocate of textile education. To have the younger gen- 
eration instructed in arts that we have had to pick up. I 
am an advocate of an American merchant marine service, 
so that we may take the goods of this country to other 
countries in our own ships. Mr. Sanborn has told you that 
not 8 per cent, of the goods sent from this country go in 
American bottoms. 

I think it appropriate that we should not only co-operate 
with the people of New England and get them to co- 
operate with us, and with the people of Pennsylvania, but 
also get them to co-operate with us to bring about the 
necessary legislation in this country for profitable manu- 
facture. We ought, also, to be extremely conservative in 
•our own business methods in this country. It is the cus- 
tom of Southern manufacturers to issue statements to show 
how extremely well they are making out. In some few 
instances this may be true, but in the great majority these 
statements are made up by book-keeping more than they 
are made in the mills. Even if it were true that the results 
are being accomplished, it would be infinitely better that 
they should be conservatively handled and conservatively 
published. 

It is extremely late, and I won't detain the convention 
further than to ask Mr. Parvin which one of those people 
issued that invitation ? I want to know. 



BOARD OF GOVERNORS' MEETINGS. 

Since the last Annual Meetino^, May loth and nth, 1900, 
the following meetings of the Board of Governors have 
been held for the purpose of transacting such matters as 
were of interest to the Association which had been brousfht 
to their attention by the President. 

The first meeting was held in Charlotte, N. C, June 
2ist, 1900, and was attended by the following members of 
the Board of Governors : 

Dr. J. H. McAden, Charlotte, N. C; J. P. Verdery, 
Augusta, Ga,; Leroy Sgrings, Lancaster, S. C; B. E. Will- 
ingham, Macon, Ga.; W. C. Heath, Monroe, N. C; A. P. 
Rhyne, Mt. Holly, N. C; R. S. Reinhardt, Lincolnton, 
N. C; A. C. Miller, Shelby, N. C; R. R. Ray, McAdens- 
ville, N. C; J. C. Smith, Newton, N. C.,and Geo. B. Hiss, 
Secy., Charlotte, N. C. In addition to the members of the 
Board of Governors, the following gentlemen were present 
by invitation : Messrs. J. P. Wilson, Charlotte, N. C; Geo. 
E. Wilson, Charlotte, N. C; J. M. Beatty, Charlotte, N. C; 
A. J. Abernathy, Lincolnton, N. C, and J. C. Rankin, 
Spencer Mountain, N. C. 

The second meeting was held at Charlotte, N. C., July 
i8th, 1900, and was attended by the following members of 
the Board of Governors : Messrs. R. R. Ray, McAdens- 
ville, N. C; J. C. Smith, Newton, N. C; R. S. Reinhardt, 
Lincolnton, N. C; A. P. Rhyne, Mt. Holly, N. C; W. C. 
Heath, Monroe, N. C ; A. C. Miller, Shelby, N. C; Dr. J. 
H. McAden, Charlotte, N. C, and Geo. B. Hiss, Secretary. 

The third meeting was held at La Fayette Hotel, Phila- 
delphia, Pa., Oct. 2nd, 1900, and the following members of 
the Board of Governors were present . Messrs. W. C. Heath, 
A. P. Rhyne, D. A. Tompkins, R. S. Reinhardt, A. C. Mil- 
ler, J. C. Smith, Dr. J. H. McAden and Secretary Hiss. The 



208 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

following members of the Association were present by 
invitation : Capt. Freno Billing, King's Mountain, N. C; 
J. E. Sherrill, Mooresville, N. C; James Webb, Hillsboro, 
N. C; J. S. Mauney, King's Mountain, N. C; A. A. 
Shuford, Hickory, N. C; A. G. Latta, Raleigh, N. C; 
E. B Neave, Salisbury, N. C; P. S. Baker, King's Moun- 
tain, N. C; J. K. Dixon, Gastonia, N. C; J. A. Smith, 
Denison, Tex.; J. D. Sherrill, Concord, N. C; J. D. Moore, 
Gastonia, N. C; J. R. Ashe, Yorkville, S. C; C. E. Hutch- 
ison, Mt. Holly, N. C, and J. P. Wilson, Charlotte, N. C. 
This meeting at Philadelphia, Pa., lasted until Oct. 4th, 
when it stood adjourned subject to call of President 
McAden. 

The fourth meeting of the Board of Governors was held 
Nov. 22nd, 1900, and was attended by the following mem- 
bers of the Board : Messrs. R. R. Ray, McAdensville, N. C; 
J. C. Smith, Newton, N. C; Leroy Springs, Lancaster, 
S. C; R. S. Reinhardt, Lincolnton, N. C; W. C. Heath, 
Monroe, N. C; A. C. Miller, Shelby, N. C; A. P. Rhyne, 
Mt. Holly, N. C; President McAden, Charlotte, N. C, 
and Secretary Hiss. 

The fifth meeting of the Board of Governors, held in 
Charlotte, N. C, Dec. 13th, 1900, and was attended by the 
following members of the Board of Governors : President 
McAden, Charlotte, N. C; B. E. Willingham, Macon, Ga.; 
J. C. Smith, Newton, N. C; R. S. Reinhardt, Lincolnton, 
N. C; R. R. Ray, McAdensville, N. C; W. C. Heath, 
Monroe, N. C; A. P. Rhyne, Mt. Holly, N. C, and Geo. B. 
Hiss, Secretary The following were present by invitation : 
Messrs. Jno. P. Yount, Newton, N. C; J. E. Sherrill, 
Mooresville, N. C; J. G. Morrison, Mariposa, N. C, Jno. M. 
Scott, Charlotte, N. C; Mr. Rudisill, Cherryville, N. C; 
Jno. J. Ceorge, Cherryville, N. C, and B. D. Heath, 
Charlotte, N. C. 

The sixth meeting of the Board of Governors, held in 
Charlotte, N.-C.-, Jan. 25th, 1901, and was attended by the 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 209 

following members of the Board : Messrs. W. C. Heath, 
Monroe, N. C; A. P. Rhyne, Mt. Holly, N. C; D. A. 
Tompkins, Charlotte, N. C; R. R. Ray, McAdensville, 
N. C; R. S. Reinhart, Lincolnton, N. C; J. C. Smith, 
Newton, N. C; President McAden and Secretary. Hiss. 
Those present by invitation were Messrs. B. D. Heath, 
Charlotte, N. C; J. P. Leak, Rockingham, N. C; Capt. 
David Clark, Charlotte, N. C. 

Independent of the foregoing mentioned meetings, num- 
erous informal meetings of members of the Board of 
Governors and members of the Association were held in 
Charlotte, N. C, and Philadelphia, Pa. 



COTTON GOODS EXPORTS. 



Shipments From the United Kingdom in the Year 1900. 

Washington, January 25. — There are yet "worlds to 
conquer" for the cotton manufacturers of the United States. 
True, their exports of cotton cloth have increased from 136 
million yards in 1890 to 258 million yards in 1900, and 
would doubtless have been much greater in the last year 
but for the extremely high price of cotton. Yet when the 
exports of cotton goods by the United Kingdom for the 
year 1900 and preceding years are examined it becomes 
quite apparent that there is still a large opportunity await- 
ing a people who can plant the factory beside the cotton 
field and operate it with cheaper coal, better machinery and 
more skillful and effective labor than that of the nation 
which transports its cotton many thousand miles, brings its 
coal from thousands of feet below the surface and yet dis- 
tributes more than five billion yards of cotton goods to the 
world every year. 

The "Accounts Relating to the Trade and Navigation of 
the United Kingdom for the Year 1900," which has just 
been received by the Treasury Bureau of Statistics, shows 
the exportation of cotton cloth from the United Kingdom 
to the various parts of the world for the years 1898, 1899 
and 1900. It shows that the total exportation of cotton 
piece goods of all kinds in 1900 was 5,034,250,600 yards, 
or about twenty times our own exports for the year, despite 
the fact that four-fifths of the raw cotton from which it was 
made was produced in the United States. The total impor- 
tations of raw cotton into the United Kingdom in 1900 
were 15,736,172 cwts., of which 12,190,169 cwts. were 
from the United States, 2,789,722 from Egypt, Z2>?)->77^ 
from India, 270,462 from Brazil and 140,041 cwts. from 



TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 211 

Other countries. The total value of the cotton imported 
into the United Kingdom in 1900 was ^41,027,181, or 
^199,659,000, and the total value of cotton manufactures 
exported from the United Kingdom in that year was ^62,- 
032,313, or $300,000,000. 

True, the United Kingdom has not materially increased 
her exportations of cotton goods in the decade during 
which the United States has more than doubled her exports 
in that line ; yet she has steadily and sturdily held her own 
in the markets of the world against the aggressions of other 
countries. The exports of cotton piece goods from the 
the United Kingdom in 1890 were $5,124,966,000 yards, 
and in 1900, as already stated, 5,034,250,000 yards. Ger- 
many's exports of cotton manufactures, which are stated in 
official publications in kilograms and not in yards, increased 
from 28,285,400 kilograms in 1890 to 37,166,000 kilograms 
in 1899. From France the exports of cotton manufactures 
in 1890 were 17,286,000 kilos and in 1899 32,003,000 kilos. 
Thus while the United States has shown a greater percent- 
age of growth in her exports of cotton manufactures than 
that of any other nation during the decade, the fact that 
Europe, although buying most of its cotton from the Uni- 
ted States, exported in 1900 more than $400,000,000 worth 
of cotton manufactures while our own manufactures were 
exporting about $20,000,000 worth, suggests great future 
possibilities for a people for whom nature has done so 
much in her supply of the raw cotton and of all the 
requirements for its manufacture. 

The following table exhibits the exportation of cotton 
piece goods from the United Kingdom in 1900, showing 
the total number of yards and the amount to each of the 
principal countries. More than half of the enormous total 
of 5,000,000,000 yards exported from the United Kingdom 
in 1900 went to her colonies and other territory over which 
she exercises control : 



212 TWENTIETH CENTURY PUBLICATION. 

COTTON MANUFACTURES EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED 

KINGDOM IN 1900. 

Countries. Yards. 

British East Indies 2,018,593,800 

China and Hong Kong 456,195,300 

Turkey 299,227,700 

Dutch East Indies 194,342,000 

Egypt 190,473,800 

Australia 177,126,300 

Argentina 131,285,300 

Japan 1 19,470,200 

Brazil 104,937,600 

Chili 98,025,800 

Other countries 1,244,572,800 

Total 5,034,250,600 

— Nezv York Journal of Cojnmerce and Commercial Bul- 
letin. 



The Philadelphia Commercial Museum^ in the course of 
its studies of the world's markets, finds that in 1899 the 
aggregate of the world's exports of manufactures of cotton 
was $500,658,412, to which total the United States con- 
tributed $23,566,914. England's exports in this line aggre- 
gated $328,325,157; Germany's, $S2>^^2>7^7'1^ \ France's, 
$32,081,095. Even Switzerland outdid us with exports of 
cotton manufactures worth $25,000,000. 






SPECIAL NOTICE TO SUPERINTENDENTS. 

The attention of Superintendents is respectfully 
called to Article III. Sec. 1. of the Constution. Article 
I. Sec. 1. of the By-Laws is reproduced herein without 
the Amendment in order the Amendment may be ob- 
served. Any Superintendent now an Associate Mem- 
ber who Is entitled to Active Membership, will kindly 
advise the Secretary of our Association in order that 
his name may be placed upon the Active Membership 
List. 

ERRATA, 

Price, A. M., page 29 Active Membership list should be on Associate 

list, and read Superintendent Eureka Mills, Chester, S. C 
Omitted from Associate list, Ross, Jno. B., Jno. B. Ross & Co., 

Charlotte, N. C. 
Glynn, Martin P., R. A. Blythe & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., on Active 

list, should be on Associate list. 
Associate list, page 31, Cloutman J. D., should read — Cloudman J. D. 
Omitted from Associate list, Comins, F. B., Treas. American Moisten 

ing Co., Boston, Mass. 
Dow, P. E. W. So. Agent American Mfg. Co., Atlanta, Ga., should 

read Dow, C. E. W. So. Agent Amer'n Moistening Co., Atlanta, Ga. 
Omitted from Associated list, Strang, Jas., Agent Metallic Drawing 

Roll Co., Indian Orchard, Mass. 
Omitted from Associate list, Putman, Hooker Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Dixon, E B., Associate list should read Dickson, E B. 



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P4 



COMPLETE COTTON IVIILL 
POWER EQUIPMENTS 



THE DODGE MTG GO. 

Engineers 
Founders 
Macbinists 

Mibhawaka, Ind. 



CONSISTING OF 

SHAFTING, PULLEYS (Textile Pattern), 
HANGERS, COUPLINGS, SELF-OILING 
BEARINGS, CLUTCHES, ETC., 



ATLANTA BRANCH, 
Prudential B'Id'g 

W. L. DRAPER, 
Manager. 



CARRIED IN STOCK. SHIPMENTS PROMPT. 



Send for "POWER TRANSMISSION ECO\OniCS,"-a 22=page booklet printed 

upon plate paper. 



Also Patentees and 5ole Manufacturers of the 

THE DODGE AMERICAN SYSTEM ROPE TRANSMISHON. 

Copiously illustrated and described in a 
i6=page Brochure, sent upon application. 



The following Cotton Mills recently equipped with partial or complete nill 
Outfits : 



Aragon Mills, Aragon, Qa. 

Olympia Mills, Columbia, S. C. 

Capital City Hills, Columb a, S. C. 

Seneca Hills, Seneca, S. C. 

Eagle and Phenix Mills, Columbus, Qa. 

Louise Mills, Charlotte, N. C. 



Gwinnett Mills, Lawrenceville, Qa. 
High Shoals M'f'gCo., High Shoals, S.C. 
Chicopee H'f'gCo., Chicopee, A ass. 
Nashau H'f'g Co., Nashua, Vt. 
Jackson H'f'g Co., Nashua, Vt. 
Bibb Mfg. Co., Macon, Qa. 



All Cotton Mill Superintendents should read "POWER AND 
TRANSniSSION," a unique publication in trade literature, ex- 
clusively devoted to flODERN POWER TRANSMISSION EN- 
GINEEKINQ. Copy upon application. 



<<lliOO]V[ HflHNESSESt>^ 

We know of no other Harnesses as good as 
those we are turning out. They are made of the Best 
Materials it is possible to buy, and are knit and 
finished in the most careful manner possible, The 
eyes are uniform in size, are on a straight line across 
the harness, and are free from twist. The loops are 
filled with varnish so the eyes cannot break back or 
work loose, and the twine is varnished up to the 
shafts so the harnesses are easy to clean. 

Each Harness receives a most critical 
inspection in each process of its manufacture, and 
only those which are free from imperfections in the 
knitting or the finishing are allowed to go out. It is 
for this reason that the quality of our work is always 
the same. 

We also make Rawhide and Leather Loom 
Pickers, Duck and Ticking Lug Straps, and 
Tape Picker Loops. 

Loom Picker Company, 

BIDDEFORD. MAINE. 



SACO & PETTEE 



MACHINE SHOPS 



BUILDERS OF IMPROVED 

Cotton Macliinery. 

A. H. WASHBURN, 

SOUTHERN AGENT, 

East Fourth St. Charlotte, N. C. 



WE BUILD 



LAPPERS, CARDS, 

RAILWAY HEADS, DRAWING FRAMES, 
ROVING FRAMES, SPINNING FRAMES, 
SPOOLERS, REELS. 



WRITE FOR CATALOGUE AND PRICES. 

CORRESPONDENCES SOLICITED. 



The Garland System of 
Moistening the Air . . . 



Produces and maintains any desired relative 
humidity on every day in the year. 

Uniformly distributes the moisture, so that 
all parts of the rooms are moistened alike. 

Takes pure air from out of doors and forces it 
into the rooms under a pressure of 30 pounds 
per square inch, thus assisting- ventilation by 
by displacing an equal volume of foul air. 

Requires practically no care, except that 
necessary for the regulation of humidity. 




Oitr pamphlet describes and illustrates this 
System as it is now constructed^ contains Rela- 
tive Humidity and other tables coT??pi led from, 
the latest JVeather Bureau Reports^ and treats 
of Air Moistening more thoroughly than any 
other pamphlet which has ever beeii issued. A 
copy ivill be sent oji application. 







^^VCO, IVIAIJVK. 



Weston F. M. Webb. Louis H. Lipcold. Fred Moss 



HOhliAND & WEBB, 

Importers & Commission Merchants, 

. . .YARNS . . . 

Principal fJumbeps fliuiays on Har>d. 
SILK EXCHANGE BUILDING. 



PHILADELPHIA, 


NEW YORK. 


215 Chestnut St. 


487 Broadway. 


Telephone, 1 105. 


Telephone, 1632 Spring. 



[y. 





Ij 




ENGINEERS. MACHINISTS. 

M ConifQct Complete Gotion Mill [qupeois. 

cofupieie coiion seed Oil Mills w m\mi 







4 T / = OINC 




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£ D.A.TOMPKINS CO 



r 191' 



SHOP ENC'lT^Et-RS" <S CONTRACTORS 

E I t g & 



t^-CHltl€ SHOP 



''ig^ljll C S *3 K ^ 

I I I i I I 



SUPPLY H0U5E. 





We build Spoolers, Reels. Starch Kettles. Steam Traps, 

Band Machines, etc., Cover Rolls, Make Gears, 

Install Electric Plants, Carry Stock of Pipe 

and Fittings, Mill and Electric Supplies, 

Repair Corliss Engines, &c. 

D. A. TOMPKINS, J. M. BEATY, Q. L. KRUEQER, 

President. Secretary. Treasurer. 

«1THE ATHERTON MILL8I» 

Charlotte, N. C. 

Cotton Yarns, 24-2 to 60-2. Skeins or Warps. 

Wet and Dry Twist. 




Electric Equipment 

FOR ALL CLASSES OF TEXTILE MILLS. 

35,000 Horse Power in use or Under Contract, 

LATEST INSTALLATION. 



r.*'" 




uiiiiUii 



-^■*?^5«3 








OLYMPIA MILLS, COLUMBIA, S. C. 

The largest single mill building ever erected. 

Power suppllied by three-phase General Electric 1300 
Kw Generators, direct connected to steam engines. 

Number of Spindles, 104,000. 

Number of Looms, 2,400. 

Every machine in this mill driven by General Electric 
Induction Motors. 

Estimates furnished on application. 

General QiiiGe, Sdieqectadii, N. Y. 



New York Office, 44- Broad Street. 
Philadelphia Office, 214 S. Eleventh St. 



Boston Office, 300 Summer St. 
Atlanta Office, Equitable Building. 




<;i,-:^. 



HOWARD& BULLOUGH, 




Tiivslh^^^ 



^© mo 




We Build. 

Picking Machinery, 

Revolving Flat Cards, 
Drawing Frames, 

Slubbinq, Intermediate and Roving Frames, 
Spinning Frames, 
Twisters, 

Cone Winders. 
We Invite i«ii 

Your Investigation and Comparison. 



"WILLIAM FIRTH, President. FRANK B. COMINS, Treasurer. 

American Moistening Company, 

150 Devonshire St., BOSTON, MASS. 

The '"Drosophore" and "Vortex" Humidifiers 

For Moistening the Air and Maintaining a Proper Condition 
in the Various Departments of Textile Manufacture. 

Making a Specialty of Humidification, we are prepared to advise as 
to the best introduction and arrangement of a Moistening System. 
Our facilities for manufacturing and method of installation enable 
us to quote the lowest prices consistent with the high standard 
maintained in all details of our equipment. No pains spared to 
bring every equipment up to the highest point of efficiency, the 
desired results being carefully considered in all departments 
requiring special attention. 

Our System has been adopted in over 150 

SOUTHERN M ILLS~ 

M\ nm 01 oiif Miiiefs ifl Operaii in 

Highest Award on the Recommendation 

of THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE for 

"Simplicity and Originality of Design." 

Legal proceedings will at once be taken against 
infringers and users of infringements. 

Specifications furnished for any desired equipment. State size 
and construction of rooms, how heated and lighted, and if the whole 
or a part of the room is to be moistened, also the nature of the work, 
and whether the machinery is driven from belts in the room or from 
below. 

Southern Office, 40 Soutli Forsyth St., Atlanta, Ga. 




Sanders, Orr & Co. 



CHARLOTTE, N. C. 
COLUMBUS, MISS. 



COTTON 



Exporters and Mill Furnishers. 






WE HAVE BUYERS IN 

Nortti Carolina, Soutti Carolina, 

Georgia, Alabama and Miississippi. 




Good Staple, 
Full Weight, 
Even Running. 




Class and Personal Attention to Mill Business 
Entrusted to Our Care Are Our Specialties. 



J. H. SLOAN, 



Charlotte. N. C. 



Cotton. 



Am prepared to offer most 
advantageous inducements to 

For Prompt or 
Future Deliveries. 

Orade to Meet Any Special Requirements. 

Terms and Conditions to meet 
any Contingencies of the Market. 

Correspondence Solicited. 

J. H. SLOAN, 

Charlotte, N. C. 



^mm^m'^^ ^^^mm^^m^^^^m m^m^^^^mi^^^^^ 



John Van Landingham, 



Charlotte, N. C. 






■^^^ 



r^ 



Cotton 
Commission, 



1 to I169 -*^^9 lie^ -^^f lie^ 1^9 lie^ 1 



^teiiJl^s £k Si^eoitilt^?'. 



Ofdeps Solicited 



fop All Kinds. 



^^^^m^^mm^^^>msm;m^^^^^m^^^^^^ 



Leonard & Ellis, 



SOLE REFINERS OF 



TRADE MARK. 




YaME 



lUgntetd OctoMr ia,_i2m. 



Cylinder, Engine, Loom 
and Spindle Oils. 



ALSO 



REFINERS OF HIGH-GRADE ILLUMINATING GILS. 

SOLD DIRECT TO CONSUMERS ONLY 
UNDER GUARANTEED RESULTS. 
TRIAIv 0RL3E:RS SOLICITED. 

Charlotte, N. C. Philadelphia, New York, 

OFFICES • J Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, 

Chicago, San Francisco, St. Paul, 

London. Paris. Hamburg. 



The Charlotte National Bank, 

Charlotte, N. C. 

* ^ ^ 
Total Assets $946,000. Capital and Surplus $163,000 

^V ^V ^V 

VIC Vi^ VIC 

With first-class facilities for hand- 
ling business in all parts of the 
country, and with assets of nearly.... 

oivK j\j: I Xy i^ I o :iv i> o Xv r^ ^^ rg {^ 

We are well prepared to handle 
Bank accounts of all kinds. 

We solicit accounts of COTTON 
MANUFACTURERS especially, to 
whom we are prepared to oiTer 
most favorable terms. 

We shall be pleased to have a per- 
sonal interview or to correspond 
with manufacturers with a view to 
business. 

\V W \Ta 

•3*c" •5«S* ";•■;* 
Vi> ^i> ■^i\ 

B. D. HEATH, W. H. TWITTY, 

President. Cashier. 



T. B. WOOD'S SONS, 





I 11 HB 




CHAIMBERSBURG, PA. 



Manufacturers of Shafting 

AND 

Power Transmission Appliances. 



Cotton Mill Work a Specialty* 



Complete equipments of machinery for tlie trans-^ 
mission of power, including Rope Driving Outfits of 
any capacity. 

j|@^Send for Catalogue. 

Mention this publication when you write. 



Southern Cotton Mills 



Should Spin 
Their Yarn on 



Draper Spindles 



With the Assistance of 



Our Round Spinning Rings. 




Our New Hopper. 

We also can sell them the very best in Warpers, 
Spoolers, Twisters, etc. 

As to Looms, it is hardly necessary to mention them, consider- 
ing the length of our order list. 

The Draper Company, 

Hopedale, M^ass. 



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O^HE^ 



» 





IC 



'•) 



Cohoes, N. Y. 



Manufacturers of 



The Cohoes Slasher. 



>s« 



Size Tanks, Tramways 



And all Slasher^Room Necessities. 



M< 



Correspondence Solicited. 



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H. C. CLARK. 

PRESIDENT. 



JEREMIAH GOFFj H. W. EDDY, 

Vice-President. Treasurer. 





mm c 

GENERAL MILL FDRNISHERS. 

MANUFACTURERS OF 



SOUTHERN AGENTS : 

Lodge & Shipley Engine Lathes, 
Snow Steam Pumps, 
Whiton's Improved Gear Cutter, 
Barnes' Improved Upright Drill, 
Cincinnati Milling Machines, 
Cincinnati Crank Shapers, 
Kay's Roller Covering Tools, 
American Steel Split Pulley, 

Foskett & Bishop Steam Traps, 
Star Wall h inish Co.'s Cold Water Paint. 



Piping, Fittings, Valves, Bolts 

and TOOLS OF ALL KINDS. 

Ctiarlotte, IV. O. 

Branch Store at Spartanburg, S. C. 



ABEGG & RUSCH, 

Commission Merchants 

90 to 98 Grand Street, 

New York. 



COTTON YARNS. 



For Hosiery and Underwear: 

Carded and Combed Cops, Cones and Skeins. 

In Colors and Mixtures. 



Weaving Yarns : 

All Numbers and Qualities, Single and All 
Plies, Warps, Tubes and Beams. 



Consignments Solicited. 



Philadelphia OfiQce : 
240 Chestnut Street 



OSCAH D. liOEB 



^24 & 226 Chestnut St., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 






Cotton Warps and Skeins, 

In all Numbers, both Single and Ply 
of Southern and Eastern Spinning. . 



Consignments Solicited from Spinners, 

Against which Liberal Advances will be Made. 



Of. 

fc — •• — 



CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED 

FROM SPINNERS AND CONSUMERS. 



liR n MPi. 



Main Offices: 

Memphis, Tenn. Greenwood, Miss- 

Clarksdale. Miss. 



Grenada, Miss. 



Producers, Buyers and Exporters of 



BEST BODIED 



COTTONS. 



OPERATING AT NINETY TOWNS IN 



MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS AND TENNESSEE. 



Buy direct from the planters in only the best staple districts, 
own Compresses and Warehouses, and are in position to supply 
Southern Mills any grade or character on the most favorable terms. 
Our territory is located on railroads having favorable rates to South- 
ern Mills points. 

Type samples, showing character of our cotton sent on applica- 
tion, charges prepaid. Highest Mill and Bank references furnished 
on request. 

Correspondence solicited. 

Address all correspondence to Memphis Office. 



SOUTHERN BRANCH Incorporated June 4, 1890. 

American 
(Eard Slothing Qo. 

NO. 223 SOUTH TRYON ST. 

CHARLOTTE, N. C. 



Manufacturers of Every Description of 

CARD clothing: 

Surface, Side Ground, Plow Ground or Needle Point. 



LATEST AND BEST MACHINERY FOR 

RE-COVERING IRON TOP FLATS, 

FOR REVOLVING FLAT CARDS, 

AND STATIONARY FLAT CARDS, 
WITH OUR SPECIAL 
IMPROVED STEEL CLIPS. 



GENERAL OFFICES: 

WORCESTER, MASS. 



GEO. B. HISS, 



Stock, Bond and 
flote Broker- 



Hish^Grade Indastrial 

Stocks, 

Bought and Sold. 



Cot^pcspondence Solicited. 



Charlotte, N. C. 



Chain Warps. Skeins. Cops- Cones. 



John Corbett & Sons, 



Sotton Yarns 



FOR 



Hosiery and Weaving. 



Nos. 32-34 Bank Street, 

Philadelphia, Penn. 



HEATH-REID 

Jobbing and Commission Co. 

E. S. REID, |vianagei». 

Souttiern Cottons, Wooiens, etc., etc. 

COTTON FACTOf^S. 

CHanlotte, IN. C 



Dealers in all kinds Southern Cotton and Woolen 

Domestics. 

We now have splendid arrangements for the hand'' 
ling of extra Staple Cotton and through our represen-' 
tatives in Alabama, Miss., Arkansas and Texas we are 
able to furnish any staple desired. We also have buy^^ 
ers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. 

We have special arrangements for execution of Spin- 
ners' order for Cotton, either for immediate shipments 
or future shipments, guaranteeing the best of service 
and treatment to all business intrusted with us. 

CoPPespondence Solicited. 



> > « < 1 nszi tilt 



(C ommercial ^jj^^ational ^ank 



OF CHARLOTTE, N. C. 



UNITED SXATES DEROSIXARY. 



Capital, .... $175,000. 

Surplus and Undivided Profits, 250,000. 

Loans, .... 800,000. 

Deposits, . . . . 700,000. 

Total Assets - - - 1,350,000. 



OFFICERS: 

J. S. SPENCER, President. A. G. BRENIZER, Cashier. 

DIRECTORS: 

J. S. SPENCER, W. E. HOLT, R. M. MILLER, 

E. C. HOLT, JNO. L. MOREHEAD, R. A. DUNN, 

H. C. ECCLES. R. M. WHITE. FRANK COXE. 



Stanbs dfirst 

On the Honor Roll of the National 

Banks of North Carolina as to 

Strcn^tb- 



Accounts of Merchants, Manufacturers, 
Capitalists and Others Solicited. 

We Make a Specialty of Handling Cotton Mill Accounts. 



(Successor to SEXTON & BOBBINS CO.) 



MACHINERY and EQUIPMENT 



i^oie 



COTTON MILLS. 



Plans and Specifications for Cotton Mills» 



SELLING AGENTS FOR^^-^nss^s* 

Brooks & Doxey, Limited, 
Providence Machine Company. 
Faies & Jenks Machine Company. 
Easton & Burnham Machine Company, 
Kilburn, Lincoln & Company. 



Cor. Fourth and Tryon Streets. 



LONG DISTANCE PHONES. 



CHARLOTTE, N. C. 



Universal Winding Company, 

Boston, Mass. Providence, R. I. 

YO[o Delivers \m cooes or ToDes Wiiiioui Re-Wiodino. 
High Speed. Increased Product. 




No I^oose Ends, No Cobwebs, No Waste, No Kinking. 

Uniform Tension frotn Start to Finish. 

Economy in Packing Cases. Also Adapted for Tube Winding. 

CHARLES W. PIERCE, Southern Agent, 



INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA, OCTOBER 29, 1897. 



nr 



01 Boii liiise Co.. 



Charlotte, N. C. 



Our Modern Brick Warehouses Offer Advantages to Manu- 
facturers for the Storage of 

Cotton Cloth and Yarn. 



Cotton Stored and Insured For 

Fifteen (15c.) Cents a Bale a Month. 

Liberal Advances Obtained on our 
Receipts at Lowest Rate of Interest. 



Our property being located between the Southern and Sea 

board roads guarantees prompt service to all points 

on both Systems, and also saves our patrons 

Trackage Charges. 

Correspondence Solicited. 



K B. SPRINGS, NATHANIEL GIST, C. B. BRYANT, 

President. Vice-President. Sec. & Treas. 



Andrew G. Pierce, Jr., Prest. Clarence A. Cook, Treas. Thos. A. Tripp, Gen'l Manager. 

The Pairpoint Corporation, 

Paper Department. 

(Formerly New Bedford Paper Co.) 
Makes the Best Quality of 

Paper Tubes 



For all kinds of Textile Machinery. 




Paper Cones, 

Parallel Tubes, 

Taper Tubes, 

Cop Tubes, 

Mailing Tubes, Etc. 

IN ALIv COI.ORS. 

Send for Saiiii)les and Pricfs. 

Paper Mill and Tube Factory, 

New Bedford, Mass. 



Southern Electric Co. 



^ ^ ^ Charlotte, fi- C. 

Electmcal Engineers 
and ContPactot^s 



Ceiling pans, 

Desk Fans, 
^ ^ Bt^aeket Fans. 



Electrical flDacbiner^ 
an^ Supplies 



special Attention Given to Rewinding Armatures, and General 
Repairs to Electrical Machinery. 



And information in Regard to Properly 
Caring for Electrical Plants Cheerfully 
Given. 



Headquarters of Cotton Mill Conventions. 



TDne 




DnHrsiI M(0)ileJ 



9 



Charlotte, N. C. 



^^ 



7^ 



Under Entirely 
New Management. 




Centrally liocated- 



We solicit your patronage, assuring you that 
'"aT* everything that can be done, will be done for 
your comfort. 



J^ates, $2 to $2.50. 



C, E. Hoopep & Co., 



Propmetops. 



MASON MACHINE WORKS 

TAUNTON, MASS. 

BUILDERS OF 

Cotton Mill Machinery. 




CARDS, COMBERS, LAPPERS, 



RAILWAY HEADS, 
DRAWING FRAMES 



Spinning Frames, Mules 



AND 



LOOMS 

F*lain arid F^^ricy. 



The Denn Warping Machinery 




w 

(X 

o!. 

W 






Warpers. 



100 TO 3200 ENDS. 

Electrical Stop I^otion Applied to all Creels. 



Globe Machine Works, 

Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa. 



ESTABLISHED 1852. 



^?\r^\.I> IS Wr O F^O^ JEX 



LINSEED OIL PAINTS. 



By Long Use in the COTTON 

STAT:E:S is known as the 

Old Reliable Kettle Boiled. 



SA.TlSFi^A.CTlOIV c3^trA.Fe^^ivTE:E:r>. 



Ready for the Brush when extra Linseed 

Oil is added. 

For color cards, prices and further information, write 

THE GEO. B. HISS OIL COMPANY, 

CHARLOTTE, N. C. 

Distributing Agents for the 

KING PAINT MANUFACTURING CO., 



Manila Transmission Rope. 






Use only the Best Quality in your drive. We, 
the Oldest, Largest and Best Equipped Cordage 
Manufacturers in this country, can furnish it. 




Ask for "Plymouth " Goods in TRANSMIS- 



\V 



SION and BALE ROPES; alf^o CORDAGE "JJ^- 

and TWINES of all descriptions 



PLYMOUTH CORDAGE CO., 

North Plymouth, Mass. 

C. F. HOLMES, Treas* 



ml 



III 



III 



"In the Roundlap bale the planter gets pay for all the 
cotton he brings, and the spinner gets all the cotton he 
pays for." 



Ill 
III 
III 

III! 

Ill Last season again demonstrated the incomparable '" 
superiority of The American Cotton Company's Round- 
lap Bale. Demand outran supply. With the additional 
presses established in the South, the Company expects 
to meet the increased demand of 1 900-1 901, both for 

III long and short staples. 

Roundlap savings at the mills begin with the unload- 
ing of the cars and do not cease until the intermediate 
lapper is reached. 

The more these bales are used the more their advan- 



tages appear. A comparative test of Roundlap and 
square cotton was recently made by the Massachusetts 
Cotton Mills, of Lowell, Mass., to determine the relative 
shrinkage in weight by drying out. The cotton was 
opened, loosened by hand, placed in new bags, weighed, 
and allowed to stand 184 hours before being reweighed. 
The square cotton lost 2.283 P^r cent., the Roundlap 
cotton 1. 27 1 per cent., a saving in favor of the latter of 
1.012 per cent., or 5.06 pounds per bale of 500 pounds 



III' 



111 „^f III 

III 

iih 



net. ,„ 



i|] The Boston News Bureau Summary of October 19, 
1900, published the following: 

"The treasurer of one of the leadirg cotton mills of Massa- 
III chusetts, says: 

"'We have used during the last twelve months over 30,000 
Roundlap bales of cotton put up by the American Cotton Com- 
pany. In our estimation this is the best method of baling cot- 111 
ton. * * * Xhe economy in the use of Roundlap bales is in 
the character of the bale which does away with labor in the 
III picking room at the mill, and the fact that. we get practically 
100 cents worth of cotton for every dollar paid out. The square 
bale in its journey from the South to the mill at the North will 
lose on an average at least 2^4 pounds per bale, as compared 
with a loss of not over j{ pound in the Roundlap bale. 

" 'On the whole, we believe we derive from 3-16 to '4 cents 



III 



per pound benefit through the use of the Roundlap bale from 111 

the time cotton is shipped until it is turned out as yarn in the '" 

111 niill.'" Ill 

III THE AMERICAN COTTON COMPANY. |j|' 

III Capital, $7,000,000. Ill 

General Offices, 27 William Street, New York City. 

Ill John E. Searles, President, New York. ili 

Wm. C. Lovering, Vice-President, Boston. 



Ill 



jjj WiNTHROP M. TuTTLE, Treasurer, New York. 

Ill George W. Oakley, Secretary, New York. m 

!J! D. C. Ball, General Manager, New York. j|!' 

Ill I 



1VILLIAM FIRTH, EDWIN BARNES, JOHN H. NELSON, 

President. Vice-President. Treasurer. 

WILLIAM FIRTH COIVIPANY, 

67 Equitable Building. 150 Devonshire St. 

BOSTON, MASS. 



SOLE IMPORTERS OF 

ASA LEE^ & CO,, Limited. Textile Machinery including Bale Break- 
ers, Revolving Flat Cards for cotton. Drawing Frames, Slub- 
bing Frames, Intermediate Frames, Roving Frames, Comb- 
ers, Ribbon and Comber Lap Machines, Carding Engines for 
Wool, Wadding and also Condensers, S. A. Mules, &c. 



SOUTHERN AGENTS FOR 

FALL RIVER MACHINE CO., Ring Spinning Frames and Coiler 
Railway Heads. 



SOLE AGENTS FOR 

WILLIAM TATHAM & CO. Waste Machinery. 

JOSEPH STUBBS. Gassing. Winding and Reeling Machinery for 
Cotton, Worsted and Silk. 

JOHN PERRY, Limited. Worsted Machinery on French and English 
Systems. Also Patent Wool Washers and Special Silk 
Machinery. 

GEORGE ORME & CO.'S Patent Hank Indicators, 

JAMES YATES & SON. Hardened and Tempered Steel Card 
Clothing for Woolen and Worsted Cards. 



SELLING AGENTS FOR 

JOSEPH SYKES BROS. Hardened and Tempered Steel Card Cloth- 
ing for cotton. 

DRONSFIELD BROS, Ltd. Emery Wheel Grinders and Emery Fillet. 



YARN TESTING MACHINERY, WRAP REELS, HEDDLES, 
COMBER PINS, PICK GLASSES, &c. 



SOUTHERN OFFICE-40 S. Forsyth St., ATLANTA, GA. 
C. E. W. DOW, Representative. 



EVAN ARTHUR LEIGH 

Successor to E. A. LEIGH & COMPANY. 

35-36MASON BUILDING 
BOSTON, MASS., U. S. A. 

IMPORTER OF 

Textile Machinery, Etc. 

Sole Agents for the U. S. and Canada for 

Messrs. PLATT BROS. & CO., Ltd. 

OF OLDHAM. ENGLAND. 

By far the Largest Makers in the World of 

CottoD, Woolen and Worsted Machinery. 

By the use of Piatt's cotton machinery, for either fine 
or coarse work, a larger poduction of better qualitv 
can be obtained at less cost. 

Sole Makers of Brown~s Patent Carding Engines for Wool-give 
woolen yarn a worsted appearance. * 

New Patent Noble Comb -increased production, better work 
Specia Machinery for making English and French Worsted Yarns 
bpecial Machinery for making Cotton Waste into Yarns. 

Also Sole Agent for the U. S. and Canada for 

Messrs. MATHER & PLATT, Ltd. 

Salford Iron Works, Manchester, England. 

r.^.S^^i"^,^"'^ Finishing Machinery for Cotton Goods, and Archbutt- 
Deeley System of softening and purifying hard water, the best system 
on the market. 

Sole Representative for the U. S. and Canada for 

Messrs. JOSEPH SYKES BROS., 

Acre Mills. Huddersfield, England. 

W. H. Bigelow, Southern Agent Charlotte, N. C. 

CARD CLOTHING. 

Machinery for Gassing and preparing Cotton. Worsted and miv 
Yarns; Wool Washers and Drying Machines, Dyeing and Finlhie 
Machinery for Woolens and Worsteds, Jefferson's Bafk washers Hard 
ings Pins and Circles, Varey's Fallers, Garnett's Machines, etc' 

Dronsfie d's Grinding Machinery and Emery Filletfng- also 
supplies for the above machinery kept in stock i^^eung, also- 

Special Machinery and Chemicals imported. 



BEST 

Material 
Workmanship 

Results 

ARE COMBINED IN THE 




Picking 



Machinery 

BUILT BY 

The A. T. Atherton 
Machine Co. 

Pawtucket, R. I. 

WE CAN IMP ROVE YOUR WORK AND SAVE YOU MONEY. 
Correspondence Solicited. 



The Lowell Ring Frame. 




All parts are made on special tools to standard sizes and are inter- 
changeable. 

The greatest care is taken to have the frames constructed so as to 
obtain the greatest production with the highest speed. 

All spindles are run in their bearings before being sent out. 

Fluted Rolls are ground to accuracy as to their roundness and 
diameter, a very important characteristic for high speed. 

We supply the best Separator in the market and provide all our 
frames with traveller clearers, lifting thread board device, cut gearing, 
improved roving traverse motion, heavy tin drums that don't break 
down, and all other parts that go with a first class machine. 



Lowell Machine Shop, 



Lowell, Mass. 



1896. 



1901. 



ii 



OLD RELIABLE" 





n 



is iiD mm 



ALSO 



READY-MIXED AND COLD WATER 



PAINTS, 



Linseed Oil, Gas Tar, Belt Dressing, Roof 
Paint, Tallow, Etc. 



THE GEO. B. HISS OIL CO., 



Charlotte, N. C. 



SOUTHr^N ailll, STOCKS 



80UGV unu . 



LOANS 



NFf^0T3ATr-:0. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






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